Realm of Darkness

An audible read version of this article is available

 

Published: 22nd April 2022
Updated: 23rd April 2022

 

May is a fantastic month for our battle against the Moon

Although we have been used to the New Moon at the beginning of the months. With the double New Moon in April, it switches to occurring towards the end of the month

We also have a Lunar eclipse occurring in the middle of May, stopping the Moons light. Even if just for a short period

 

Friday, 6th May

η (Eta) Aquarid Meteor Shower Peak

The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is visible from the 19th of April to the 28th of May

And reaches its peak, on the 6th of May

"Eta Aquarid Meteor" by Mike Lewinski is marked with CC BY 2.0.

You should be able to view the Eta Aquarid from around 3:00 (UK) in the morning. And should be visible til about 5:20, when the Sun begins to rise

It will be visible in a South-easterly direction, in the Aquarius constellation

It has a ZHR of 40, which is reasonable. And could mean you could view a meteor about every minute and a half, with ideal conditions

 

Thursday 12th May

M5 Good Visibility

Tonight is a good opportunity to view the Messier 5, Globular Cluster

"Messier 5" by Bob Familiar is marked with CC BY 2.0.

Visible from around 23:30 til sunrise, at around 5:20 the next day

You can find M5 in a south to south-easterly direction. However, M5 cannot be seen with the naked eye. And will require at least a pair of binoculars or a telescope

 

Monday 16th April

Lunar Eclipse

Our enemy the Moon, reaches its fullest tonight. However, in the early hours of the morning - A Lunar Eclipse occurs

All hail the darkness!

The Eclipse begins at 3:30 AM UK,

The Moon will however go and hide below the horizon, before the eclipse finishes. At around the same time as the sun rises at 5:10 AM

If you want to view the Eclipse, then find a comfortable position, And watch as the Moon disappears

If you are unable to view. Then technology, people and weather permitting. We will stream the Lunar Eclipse on our Youtube channel. And publish the video later, on our other channels

 

Full Moon

Although the joy of a Lunar Eclipse was thrilling

We mustn't become complacent in our ongoing struggle against the Moon

Unfortunately, the Moon will rise at around 21:40, as a Full Moon

However, it provides an opportunity to view or photograph, as it temporarily moves back from the power of the darkness

 

Monday, 30th May

New Moon

The month of May ends with the Moon disappearing, as a New Moon occurs

The Moon will slip below the horizon at around 21:35, with the Sun having set at around 21:15

Thus allowing us to view the heavens, without the distraction of the Moons light

 

Planet Spotting

If you are looking to view or photograph the planets of our solar system this May

Then this guide is designed to help you to find which planets, are visible and when

Mercury

At the start of May, Mercury is an ideal planet to view in the evening, after sunset

However as the month progresses, the longer days, will mean that. It more difficult to view

Venus

Venus should be visible in the early morning, before sunrise, through May

Mars

Mars should be visable in the early mornings before sunrise

Jupiter

Jupiter should be visible in May in the mornings. At the start of May is will appear close to Venus and at the end of the month close to Mars

 

Associated Podcast / Video

Darkest Hour, Brightest Night also produce a podcast and video. Which gives you an overview of the events due to occur in May 2022

These should be released on the 25th April 2022, and the podcast can be found in the Podcast section. Or on your podcast app

The video can be found in the video section, or via Odysee or Youtube

Following us on social media will keep you up to date on the events mentioned in this article, and other related updates

 

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Written by: Ben Patmore
Ben Patmore is an amateur astrophotographer

 

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