Weekly Sky Guide: Moon, Venus, and Jupiter Align in May Twilight
This weekly astronomy guide from Sky & Telescope highlights key celestial events visible between May 15 and May 24. The week begins with observations of Leo the Lion and Regulus, followed by views of Vega and Draco the Dragon. A notable event occurs on May 17, when Jupiter’s moons Europa and Io emerge from eclipse simultaneously for observers in eastern North America. The highlight of the week is a striking alignment of the three brightest objects after the Sun—the Moon, Venus, and Jupiter—visible in the western twilight from Monday, May 18, to Wednesday, May 20. These bodies form various geometric patterns, including a quadrilateral and an isosceles triangle, offering excellent viewing opportunities for amateur astronomers. The guide also details the First Quarter Moon on May 22 and provides tips for locating the Coma Berenices star cluster during moonless evenings. Specific viewing times and directional advice are tailored primarily for North American audiences, emphasizing binocular and telescope observations of lunar features and planetary movements.
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