SAS Events:
- May 3rd Maker Faire: Come and check us out at the Maker Faire from 10AM to 5PM at the Horticulture building at the NYS Fair Grounds. Look through our solar scopes (weather permitting) and see our demonstrations at our booth. https://syracuse.makerfaire.com/
- May 15th Board Meeting: Our Monthly Board Meeting occurs at 7:30PM. This will be a zoom meeting or held at the DHO if the weather is nice. Members can check your email for a link.
- May 23rd/May 24th Public Observing Session: Join us for our monthly public observing session. Bring your family to explore the marvels of the night sky and catch a glimpse of the Milky Way. We will feature an EAA presentation, and our main telescope will be available for viewing.
- May 30th/May 31st Member Observing Session: Join us for a member observation session on the weekend of May 30th. Bring your telescopes and enjoy stargazing alongside fellow members. Public is welcome but there will be no official program.
- Spring Cleaning: As we begin each observing season, we take time to clean up our grounds after the long cold winter. This will include tasks such as cleaning the chartroom, trimming the grass, and cutting back the trees around the perimeter. Keep checking our social media for the date.
- Used Telescope & Equipment Sale: If you looking to buy or sell used telescopes & telescope accessories, join us our used equipment sale at the observatory. Items include a HyperStar for a Celestron 8″ and a RedCat 51. Keep checking our social media for the date.
Special Astronomical Events
- Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower: The meteors from this shower are anticipated to be visible from April 19th to May 28th. The peak viewing time is on May 5th, and they will seem to originate from the radiant point Zeta Aquarii in the sky. This shower is caused by the dust released from the numerous orbits of Halley’s Comet.
- Full Flower Moon: The full moon in May, occurring on the 12th, is known as the “Flower Moon.” This name is inspired by the season when flowers start to blossom across North America.
Moon Phases
- First Quarter: May 4th
- Full Moon: May 12th
- Last Quarter: May 20th
- New Moon: May 26th
Constellations to Spot
- Leo (the Lion): Recognizable by its “sickle” shape, look for the bright star Regulus, representing the lion’s heart.
- Virgo (The Maiden): The second-largest constellation with Spica as its brightest star, found by following the Big Dipper’s handle, making an arc from Arcturus to Spica.
- Ursa Major (The Great Bear): Prominent in the northern sky, it contains the Big Dipper asterism. A great pointer to find the north star is if you follow the two front stars of the dipper in a line.
- Bootes (The Herdsman): This rises higher as the month progresses. It contains the bright star Arcturus which is found by following the handle of the big dipper in an arc.
- Lyra (The Harp): This constellation contains the bright star Vega, one of the three members of the summer triangle indicating the coming of warmer weather in the northern hemisphere.
Planets on Display
- Jupiter: May will be your last chance to see Jupiter for a while. It’s sets at 11:30 May 1st and 10PM by May 31st.
- Mars: Mars nears the Beehive (M44) early in the month and conjuncts with the Moon on May 3rd.
- Saturn: This in an early morning target for the time being so you’ll need to wake up early to see it. Saturns rings are still nearly edge on
- Venus: Another morning target this month. Venus reaches it’s greatest Western elongation on May 31st. This is the date when the planet will be the farthest west in the sky.
Objects to Look at through Binoculars or a Small Telescope
- M44 – The Beehive Cluster (Praesepe): Nestled in the constellation Cancer, this bright open cluster is reminiscent of a swarm of bees and it is around 610 light years from the Earth. This can also be seen with the naked eye in dark skies. Mars will be crossing the Beehive this month and on May 3rd the moon will also join the party.
- M13 – The Great Hercules Cluster: The Jewel of the Sky as it’s sometimes called is the largest globular cluster in the northern hemisphere. It is found in the keystone asterism part of the constellation Hercules.
- M57 – The Ring Nebula: While this is on the edge of what you can see with a small telescope, it’s certainly one you should try to look for. The ring is a planetary nebula which is a misnomer and is only named that way because early astronomers thought they looked like planets. It is a star in its final stages of life which scientists believe may be what will happen to our sun at the end of its life.
- M104 – The Sombrero Galaxy: This nearly edge-on galaxy resembles a sombrero in the night sky hence its name. It borders the constellations Corvus and Virgo.
Deep Sky Targets for Astrophotographers
- NGC 4565 – The Needle Galaxy: This is a splendid edge-on spiral galaxy located in the constellation Coma Berenices. Its slender, needle-like appearance makes it a favorite among astrophotographers.
- NGC 4038/4039 – The Antennae Galaxies: Located in the constellation Corvus, these interacting galaxies are named for their long, antenna-like tidal tails. They are a classic example of galactic collision and are fascinating to capture.
- NGC 2903: Situated in the constellation Leo, NGC 2903 is a barred spiral galaxy that is often overlooked. Its bright core and spiral arms are well worth imaging.
- Markarian’s Chain: A series of galaxies that are part of the Virgo Cluster, exhibiting a chain-like appearance. This stretch includes several significant Messier and NGC objects.
May 2025 is set to showcase an awe-inspiring celestial spectacle. Whether you’re a casual stargazer or a passionate astronomer, the night sky has something to captivate everyone. Embrace the beauty and marvel that the stars and planets will bring this month.