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.”
Weekly Stargazing Tips
Unless otherwise specified, viewing times are local time regardless of time zone, and are good for the entire Lower 48 states (and, generally, for Alaska and Hawaii). Check out last week's tips if you missed a night.
May 16, 2012
May 17, 2012
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.
May 18, 2012
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.
May 19, 2012
The Sun and Moon will team up to produce an annular solar eclipse late tomorrow. The Moon will pass directly between Earth and Sun, but it is farther from Earth than average, so it won’t completely cover the solar disk.
May 20, 2012
Most of the United States will see a partial solar eclipse late this afternoon. Across a narrow swath of the western U.S., the Moon will be completely enfolded within the Sun’s disk, leaving a thin but bright ring of sunshine around the Moon.
May 21, 2012
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.
May 22, 2012
One of the most famous characters in the night sky takes a prominent position at this time of year. The relatively faint constellation Hercules is in view by the time it gets dark, and arcs high overhead during the night.
