The central event of the month, and one of the skywatching highlights of the year, takes place during the daytime: an annular eclipse of the Sun, which carves a narrow path across the western United States. An annular solar eclipse will dim the skies along a narrow path in the western United States on May 20, with a partial eclipse visible across most of the rest of the country. After dark, some of the signature star patterns of summer begin their climb to prominence, including the Summer Triangle, which rises in late evening, and sinuous Scorpius, the scorpion, which is in full view at midnight by month's end.
In addition to our May eclipse coverage, we have information on the second half of a twice-in-a-lifetime event: the June 5 transit of Venus across the Sun.
Leo, the lion, dives head-first toward the western horizon during May and June evenings. Tonight, it stands high overhead as darkness falls and sets about six hours later. The last of its bright stars to set is Denebola, “the lion's tail.”
A solar eclipse is coming up late Sunday. Most will see a partial eclipse, but across a 200-mile-wide path from California to Texas, the Moon will fit inside the solar disk, surrounding the Moon with a ring of fire, known as an annular eclipse.
The small constellation Corvus, the crow, is well up in the south early this evening. Its brightest stars make a four-sided shape that resembles a sail. In Greek mythology, the crow was placed in the heavens either as a reward or a punishment.
The crescent Moon and the planet Venus stage a beautiful display the next few evenings. Tonight, the Moon is quite low at sunset, with brilliant Venus well above it. The Moon sets by the time the sky gets fully dark, so you need to look quickly to see it.
Full May 5, 10:35 pm
Last May 12, 4:47 pm
New May 20, 6:47 pm
First May 28, 3:16 pm
