Astronomy Events for May 2025
- 1
Conjunction of Saturn and Ceres Remind MeSaturn and Ceres share the same right ascension, at a separation of 7°17'. - 2
Asteroid 4 Vesta at opposition Remind MeAsteroid 4 Vesta makes closest approach to the Earth. - 3
Conjunction of the Moon and Mars Remind MeThe Moon and Mars share the same right ascension, at a separation of 2°04'. Close approach of the Moon and Mars Remind MeThe Moon and Mars pass close to each other. Conjunction of Venus and Neptune Remind MeVenus and Neptune share the same right ascension, at a separation of 2°03'. - 4
Moon at First Quarter Remind MeThe Moon reaches first quarter phase – appearing high in the sky at sunset and setting in the west at around midnight. - 5
Close approach of Mars and M44 Remind MeMars and M44 pass close to each other. - 6
η-Aquariid meteor shower 2025 Remind MeThe η-Aquariid meteor shower reaches its peak. Equinox on Saturn Remind MeSaturn's seasons are changing, making its rings appear edge-on from the Earth. - 8
η-Lyrid meteor shower 2025 Remind MeThe η-Lyrid meteor shower reaches its peak. Asteroid 9 Metis at opposition Remind MeAsteroid 9 Metis makes closest approach to the Earth. Conjunction of Mercury and Eris Remind MeMercury and Eris share the same right ascension, at a separation of 8°39'. - 10
Lunar occultation of Spica Remind MeThe Moon will pass in front of Spica (Alpha Virginis), creating a lunar occultation visible from Oceania, Chile, Antarctica, Baker Island, Howland Island and Tokelau. Conjunction of Neptune and Ceres Remind MeNeptune and Ceres share the same right ascension, at a separation of 8°22'. The Moon at apogee Remind MeThe Moon recedes to its orbit's furthest point from the Earth, making it appear fractionally smaller than at other times of the month. - 11
Messier 5 is well placed Remind MeThe globular cluster M5 (NGC 5904; mag 5.7) in Serpens culminates at around midnight local time. - 12
Full Moon Remind MeThe Moon reaches full phase and is visible for much of the night. - 13
Lunar occultation of Antares Remind MeThe Moon will pass in front of Antares (Alpha Scorpii), creating a lunar occultation visible from countries and territories including Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Antarctica amongst others. - 14
The Moon at aphelion Remind MeThe Moon recedes to its orbit's furthest point from the Sun, which happens each month around the time of full moon. - 17
Uranus at solar conjunction Remind MeUranus is unobservable as it passes around the far side of the Sun – marking the end of one apparition and the beginning of the next. - 20
Moon at Last Quarter Remind MeThe Moon reaches last quarter phase – rising in the east at around midnight and appearing high in the sky by sunrise. - 22
Close approach of the Moon and Saturn Remind MeThe Moon and Saturn pass close to each other. Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn Remind MeThe Moon and Saturn share the same right ascension, at a separation of 2°49'. - 23
Close approach of the Moon and Venus Remind MeThe Moon and Venus pass close to each other. Conjunction of the Moon and Venus Remind MeThe Moon and Venus share the same right ascension, at a separation of 3°59'. - 25
The Moon at perihelion Remind MeThe Moon passes its orbit's closest point to the Sun, which happens each month around the time of new moon. The Moon at perigee Remind MeThe Moon makes its monthly closest approach to the Earth, making it appear fractionally larger than at other times of the month. - 26
New Moon Remind MeThe Moon disappears into the Sun's glare for a few days. - 28
Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter Remind MeThe Moon and Jupiter share the same right ascension, at a separation of 5°12'. Messier 4 is well placed Remind MeThe globular cluster M4 (NGC 6121; mag 5.4) in Scorpius culminates at around midnight local time. - 29
Mercury at superior solar conjunction Remind MeMercury passes around the far side of the Sun. - 31
Mercury at perihelion Remind MeMercury passes its orbit's closest point to the Sun. Venus at greatest elongation west Remind MeVenus is bright and well placed in the dawn sky.
