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Mercury and the moon provide photography challenge

Saskatchewan Skies
James Edgar

The moon becomes full May 4, and that evening it is within two degrees of Saturn just before midnight as the ringed planet rises. By May 15, in the early eastern sky, Uranus is only 0.2 degrees away, an occultation in the Southern Hemisphere. A very tough challenge observation occurs May 19 at sunset, where a slender sliver of moon is six degrees east of Mercury. This could be a good photography challenge, too, as Venus and Jupiter ride high above the pair near the horizon. May 21, Luna nears Venus, then Jupiter May 23 — more photography.

Mercury appears in the western evening sky after sunset, getting higher and higher, until reaching greatest eastern elongation May 17 and beginning its fall back toward the sun. Of course, we know the planet is orbiting the sun on an inner path, so we see it only briefly during its appearances on both sides of the sun. By the end of the month, Mercury is out of sight.

Venus, the “Evening Star,” shines brightly in the west all month, with the moon close by May 21. Some people can’t believe how bright the planet gets, often mistaking it for aircraft landing lights, or even an alien spaceship. Revered throughout history, Venus has inspired poems, prose and songs in the hearts of humankind.

Mars is not visible, being behind the sun.

Jupiter is high in the western sky as the sun goes down, setting about midnight, giving observers ample time to view the planet. Watch for the nearby moon May 23. Be sure to find a way to view the giant planet through a telescope or large binoculars. It’s a sight to behold, especially if you get to see the four moons orbiting Jupiter. Our Earthly moon is slightly smaller than three of the four Galilean moons, so these are significant bodies orbiting Jupiter.

Saturn is a late riser in May, gradually getting earlier and earlier. By May 4, the ringed planet is right by the nearly full moon, and Luna joins in again May 31 (not surprising, really, since those dates are a month apart).

Uranus rises just about the time the sky brightens in the early morning dawn. Not a good target.

Neptune rises about an hour ahead of Uranus, so could be seen for that brief interval, but only with a moderate-sized telescope.

— James Edgar has had an interest in the night sky all his life. He joined the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada in 2000 and is now the society’s president, assistant editor and a contributor to the Observer’s Handbook, production manager of the bi-monthly RASC Journal. He was given the RASC Service Award at the 2012 General Assembly in Edmonton.