THE DAILY ASTRONOMER
Monday, May 15, 2023
May 2023 Night Sky Calendar Part II
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2023: MOON NEAR JUPITER
The mammoth orb that once adorned our western evening sky vanished into the dusk last month and has now returned to our pre-dawn eastern sky. An observer fanatical enough to forego sleep in order to behold the early sky will see Jupiter close to the waning crescent moon (5% illuminated)
Both bodies will rise by 4:10 a.m. If you are up to see this coupling, be sure to look quickly as civil twilight begins at 4:43 a.m.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2023: MOON NEAR MERCURY
Yes, one will see three solar system bodies together this morning. While the crescent moon nestles up close to Jupiter, it will also appear to pass close to Mercury. One should experience little difficulty distinguishing between Mercury and Jupiter, since the former, at magnitude 2.1, will be forty times dimmer than the latter (magnitude -1.9). Perhaps the prospect of observing two planets and the moon will be a sufficient inducement to abandon the enveloping warmth of one's bed.
FRIDAY, MAY 19: NEW MOON
The moon is in conjunction again. This new moon begins lunation cycle 1242.
TUESDAY, MAY 23, 2023: MOON NEAR VENUS (SILVER EVENT!!)
These couplings are always bound to be gorgeous. The waxing crescent moon draws close to Venus, the night sky's brightest object apart from the moon. Tonight one will see the brilliant planet just to the south of the waxing crescent moon (15% illuminated) within the constellation Gemini the twins.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 2023: MOON NEAR MARS (BRONZE EVENT!)
Tonight's Mars-moon appulse only wins the bronze because at magnitude 1.5, Mars will appear 173 times dimmer than Venus. All the same, this close encounter between the waxing crescent moon (23% illuminated) and Mars will certainly be worth a second look. Both bodies will occupy the constellation Cancer the Crab and will set just after midnight.
SATURDAY, MAY 27: FIRST QUARTER MOON
MONDAY, MAY 29: MERCURY AT GREATEST WESTERN ELONGATION
This is the best time to seek out Mercury in the eastern pre-dawn sky. Mercury is as far from the Sun (25 degrees) as it will be during this orbit. The first world rises around 4:12 a.m.