Jon Spargo, New Mexico Tech Astronomy Club

This month we are in for a celestial treat. On the evening of May 15t and lasting until after midnight, all of North America will be able to view a total lunar eclipse. In May, the Moon is often referred to as the “Flower Moon.” For this eclipse, the whole eastern half of the U.S. will be able to witness the entire eclipse from beginning to end. We here in the Mountain Time Zone will see the Moon rise in the east just as it is entering the umbra. The eclipse begins at 9:28 p.m. MDT on the 15th and ends at 12:52 a.m. on the 16th. For timings in your area go to https://is.gd/eclipsetimings.

Most of the planetary action this month occurs in the early morning sky beginning about three hours before sunrise. To kick things off there is a conjunction of the planets Venus and Jupiter. On the morning of the 1st, Venus, which continues to slowly sink toward the horizon, is passed by Jupiter as it climbs higher into the early morning sky. On the 1st, they will be a scant 1/3 of a degree apart. But the fun continues as Jupiter continues its early morning climb. On the 29th Jupiter will have overtaken Mars and will pass the red Planet with about a ½ degree separation.

The only evening planetary action this month occurs on the evening of the 2nd. Mercury, having passed through a conjunction with the Sun, appears low on the west-northwestern horizon and is visible about 45 minutes after sunset. It should be easy enough to spot as it is just above and to the left of the Pleiades star cluster and just below and to the right of the new crescent Moon. Some binoculars should help you find Mercury in the twilight after sunset.

The Moon will be first quarter on the 9th, full on the 16th, last quarter on the 22nd, and new on the 30th. Looking to the west-southwest at dusk, about 45 minutes after sunset, the new crescent Moon will be just above and to the left of the planet Mercury. Look due east on the 25th, about an hour before sunrise, as the waning crescent Moon passes below Jupiter and Mars. On the 26, about an hour before sunrise, the crescent Moon will have moved a bit lower toward the horizon and will be found just to the right of brilliant Venus.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, there will not be a first Saturday star party at the Etscorn Campus Observatory this month.

Clear Skies!

Jon Spargo, New Mexico Tech Astronomy Club

Jon Spargo, New Mexico Tech Astronomy Club