What's Up: May 2026 Skywatching Tips From NASA

Why It Matters

By spotlighting accessible celestial events, NASA strengthens public interest in astronomy and reinforces support for its upcoming exploration programs.

Key Takeaways

• Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks May 5‑6 before dawn.
• Meteors streak at 40 mi/s, leaving brief glowing trails.
• Moon‑Venus conjunction visible May 18 after sunset, west sky.
• May 31 features a Blue Moon, second full moon this month.
• Dark skies, 20‑30 minute eye adaptation improve viewing conditions.

Summary

NASA’s May sky‑watching briefing highlights three standout events: the Eta Aquarid meteor shower, a Moon‑Venus evening conjunction, and a rare Blue Moon at month’s end.

The Eta Aquarids, debris from Halley’s Comet, peak May 5‑6 and can produce up to 50 meteors per hour. They travel roughly 40 mi/s, leaving brief glowing trails, but bright moonlight may dim the fainter streaks. Viewers are advised to watch the eastern pre‑dawn sky from a dark site and let their eyes adjust 20‑30 minutes.

On May 18 the crescent Moon will sit beside Venus in the western sky just after sunset, offering an easy “evening star” sight‑line. The month closes with a Blue Moon on May 31 – the second full Moon in a calendar month – a phrase popularized by the saying “once in a blue moon.” The segment also references Artemis II’s recent lunar flyby, underscoring NASA’s ongoing exploration.

These natural spectacles provide low‑cost outreach opportunities, encouraging amateur astronomers and the general public to connect with space science and stay tuned to NASA’s broader mission updates.

Original Description

The Eta Aquarid meteor shower brings shooting stars before dawn, the Moon meets brilliant Venus after sunset, and May wraps up with a rare Blue Moon.

Look to the early morning sky around May 5-6 for meteors from Halley’s Comet, though bright moonlight may wash out some of the fainter streaks.

Then on May 18, spot the crescent Moon near Venus low in the western sky just after sunset. May ends with a Full Moon on May 31.

May ends with a Blue Moon, meaning the second full moon in a single calendar month, but it will not actually look blue.

0:00 Intro

0:09 Eta Aquarids

1:25 Moon and Venus conjunction

1:54 Blue Moon

2:35 May Moon phases

Additional information about topics covered in this episode of What's Up, along with still images from the video, and the video transcript, are available at https://science.nasa.gov/skywatching/whats-up.

— Additional Resources —

Find events and clubs with NASA's Night Sky Network: https://science.nasa.gov/skywatching/night-sky-network/

Skywatching resources from NASA: https://science.nasa.gov/skywatching