May 2010 astronomy

May evenings start with Venus, Mars, and Saturn visible. Venus is by the V of the Hyades, Mars is somewhat close to the Beehive Cluster in Cancer, and Saturn is in Virgo. Venus sets early in the evening, but the other two remain visible much later. Saturn, being furthest east, is the last of these three to set. Right about the time it does, Jupiter rises. Mercury's not visible at the start of May.

By mid-month, Venus is approaching the feet of Gemini and Mars is getting close to the sickle of Leo. Venus appears to be right about at the heart of Gemini by the end of May. Mars at that time is much closer to the sickle and on track for a rendezvous with Regulus in the first week of June. Saturn doesn't appear to move much against the starry background.

Make it a point to observe Venus, Mars, and Saturn every evening that you can now and for the next few months. They are pulling together for a tight grouping that should be a delight to see evenings in August! Then, they'll almost be joined by Mercury. Some of the most fun things in astronomy happen slowly. This one's spread out over enough time that a poorly timed cloudy night can't ruin it.

Speaking of Mercury, if you want to see it this month, get up in the dawn to find it toward the end of May. It's 25 degrees west of the sun on the 26th.

The asteroid Pallas is at opposition on the 14th.

Mars is at quadrature on the 4th. That means it's 90 degrees from the sun as we see them from Earth. At eastern quadrature, the planet is on the meridian at sunset.

Venus is occulted by the moon on the 16th. Parts of Malaysia, the South China Sea, and Vietnam have the best view of this. Asteroid observers on the southern part of Africa and most of Madagascar are in the path of an occulation of Ceres on the 29th.