The Sky At A Glance

There is an annular eclipse of the Sun on May 20. The best views are from parts of China, Japan, the North Pacific, and the western and southwestern U.S. (See our "What's New" page for more information.)

The Moon & Planets

The largest full Moon of 2012 occurs on May 5. A very narrow crescent Moon lies below Venus on May 21 and to its left on the 22nd. On May 28 the First Quarter Moon passes about 8° to the SW of Mars. A waxing gibbous Moon passes 8° below Saturn on the 31st - nearly forming a line with the planet and Spica.

Evening Planets (after sunset)

• Venus, NW
• Mars, SW
• Saturn, SE

Visible at Midnight

• Mars, W
• Saturn, S

Morning Planets (before sunrise)

• Neptune, SE
• Uranus, E
• Mercury, E

Comet C/2009 P1 (Garradd) dims to 9th-magnitude as it moves from Lynx into Cancer.

The Eta Aquarid meteors peak on May 5. Unfortunately, this is also the night of the Full Moon, which will obliterate from view most of the faint meteors of this weak shower.