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Every month brings some unique astronomical events you can see with the naked eye and photograph. In this article, let us look at the astrophotography opportunities in May 2025.
May 6-7: Eta Aquarids meteor shower
At its strongest, the Eta Aquarids shower can produce up to 60 meteors per hour, which is above normal. The Southern Hemisphere is where the majority of the activity is observed. The pace can reach roughly 30 meteors per hour in the Northern Hemisphere. It is created from dust particles that comet Halley, which has been seen since antiquity, left behind. Every year, from April 19 to May 28, the shower is held. This year, it peaks between May 6th evening and May 7th morning. Some of this year’s fainter meteors will be obscured by the waxing gibbous moon. However, you should still be able to capture some of the better ones if you have patience. It will be best viewed after midnight from a dark spot. Although they might appear anywhere in the sky, meteors will radiate from the Aquarius constellation.
May 12: Full flower moon
The fifth full moon of 2025 will appear on the 12th of May. The May full moon is also known as the flower moon. Full moons are always a great opportunity to photograph them with a telephoto lens. It will also allow you to capture the moonrise in the evening and the moonset in the early morning.
Full moons are always exciting to watch and photograph
May 27: New moon
The new moon week is the best time to plan your dark sky trips. Capture the minute details of constellations, nebulae, and galaxies without any interference from moonlight. Whether you are a wide-field astrophotographer or a deep sky photographer, the nights around the new moon will offer you the best conditions for astrophotography.
Plan your dark sky trips around the new moon
Other opportunities throughout the month
Along with the celestial events mentioned above, the sky will present more opportunities to catch a few more objects. And some will be better than before.
The Milky Way season is at full swing
The Sagittarius arm of the Milky Way, one of the most beautiful and popular regions to photograph, now rises early in the night sky, by 9-10 PM. The Milky Way arch will be visible before midnight. This will be a great opportunity to photograph the Milky Way arch along with other nightscape and deepscape images.
This is the best time to photograph the Milky Way arch
Moon meets the planets
The moon will be positioned with different planets throughout the month. The month begins with a conjunction between the Moon and Mars on 4th May. On 22nd May, the Moon will come close to the ringed planet, Saturn. On the early morning of 24th May, the Moon will meet Venus in the eastern sky. Finally, on 28th May, the Moon will be positioned along with Jupiter.
Moon and Venus in the night sky
Hope you have a great month with lots of astrophotography opportunities ahead.
Clear skies!