What To See In The May Night Sky

Every year the earth crosses the orbital path of Halley’s Comet.  As our planet passes thru the debris left behind by the comet some of the detritus burns-up as it reenters the earth's atmosphere with a resulting meteor shower.  Shooting stars!   

This shower takes its name from the constellation Aquarius where the meteors appear to radiate from.

While this display of shooting stars favors those who live in the southern hemisphere you can still get in on the action.  Most of the activity should occur around May 5^th and 6^th beginning in the hours before dawn on May 5.  The light from the full moon may wash-out some of your viewing opportunities; yet patience reward those who persist. 

Get yourself comfortable in a lawn chair and allow your eyes 30 minutes to adjust to the dark.  Look to the southeast and the constellation Aquarius – although a shooting star can occur just about anywhere. 

In our mid-northern latitudes you can expect to see ten or more meteors per hour.  The late evening hours are the best time to observe earthgrazers – more meteors that make the long streaks across night sky.   

Fingers-crossed for clear viewing conditions.