PAGASA

Calendar of Astronomical Events MAY 2026

Date	Event	Time
01-31	Dark and Quiet Skies	---
05	η-Aquariid meteor shower (ZHR = 40)	---
05	Moon at Apogee (Distance = 405,789.295 km)	06:30 a.m.
08	η-Lyrid meteor shower (ZHR = 3)	---
14	Close approach of the Waning Crescent Moon and Saturn	01:32 a.m.
14	Conjunction of the Waning Crescent Moon and Saturn	05:58 a.m.
15	Conjunction of the Moon and Mars	08:44 a.m.
17	Moon at Perigee (Distance = 358,179.018 km)	09:44 p.m.
20	Conjunction of the Waxing Crescent Moon and Jupiter	08:37 p.m.
20	Close approach of the Waxing Crescent Moon and Jupiter	09:46 p.m.

Moon Phases

	Full Moon
	May 02	01:23 AM
	Last Quarter
	May 10	05:10 AM
	New Moon
	May 17	04:01 AM
	First Quarter
	May 23	07:11 PM
	Full Moon
	May 31	04:45 PM

Rise and Set Times of Planets

Date	Mercury		Venus		Mars		Jupiter		Saturn
Date	Rise	Set	Rise	Set	Rise	Set	Rise	Set	Rise	Set
May 01	04:48 am	05:12 pm	07:18 am	08:14 pm	04:14 am	04:30 pm	10:15 am	11:08 pm	03:54 am	04:00 pm
May 11	05:16 am	05:58 pm	07:29 am	08:29 pm	04:00 am	04:22 pm	09:42 am	10:35 pm	03:18 am	03:25 pm
May 21	05:56 am	06:55 pm	07:41 am	08:43 pm	03:46 am	04:14 pm	09:10 am	10:02 pm	02:42 am	02:50 pm
May 31	06:39 am	07:44 pm	07:55 am	08:55 pm	03:32 am	04:06 pm	08:39 am	09:30 pm	02:06 am	02:15 pm

* = following day

Stars and Constellation

May presents an excellent opportunity to explore a diverse array of celestial patterns and prominent stars, as the night sky reveals a rich blend of constellations. Canes Venatici and Coma Berenices grace the northern sky, offering subtle yet rewarding views under dark conditions. In contrast, Centaurus, Virgo, Corvus, Crux, and Musca lie south of the celestial equator, showcasing some of the most striking and easily recognizable stellar patterns for observers in the southern hemisphere. These constellations will be prominently positioned overhead at 09:00 p.m. on 15 May 2026, as depicted in Figure 1. [1]

Figure 1: The view of the night sky featuring the prominent May constellations at 09:00 p.m. on 15 May 2026 using the Stellarium software.

Canes Venatici, Latin for “hunting dogs,” is a small northern constellation that, despite its modest size, hosts a rich array of celestial objects, making it a rewarding target for both amateur and professional astronomers. It is defined by two main stars, Cor Caroli and Chara, forming a line southeast of the Big Dipper’s handle. Cor Caroli shines at magnitude 2.9, about 110 light-years away, while Chara, a slightly fainter solar analog, serves as a reference for stellar studies. Beyond its stellar highlights, Canes Venatici is rich in deep-sky objects, including Messier entries such as the Cat’s Eye Galaxy (M94), and Messier 106 [Figure 2a], along with one of the largest and brightest globular cluster Messier 3, with roughly half a million stars. It also features notable systems such as the Hockey Stick Galaxy (NGC 4656 and NGC 4657) and the Cocoon Galaxy (NGC 4490), making it a rewarding target for observational astronomy. The constellation can be found about midway between Ursa Major and Virgo. [2,3,4]

Coma Berenices is a small and faint constellation, with no stars brighter than fourth magnitude. Its brightest member, Beta Comae Berenices, is a Sun-like star with an apparent magnitude of 4.26, giving the constellation a diffuse appearance best appreciated under dark-sky conditions. Despite its modest stellar pattern, Coma Berenices is exceptionally rich in deep-sky objects. It hosts the Coma Cluster and the northern extension of the Virgo Cluster, making it one of the densest galaxy regions in the sky. At the heart of the Coma Cluster lie the supergiant elliptical galaxies NGC 4874 and NGC 4889, within a cluster containing at least 10,000 galaxies, predominantly ellipticals. Notable members include NGC 4921 [Figure 2b], the brightest spiral galaxy in the cluster; the Mice Galaxies (NGC 4676) [Figure 2c], an interacting pair of spirals; and Dragonfly 44, an unusual system believed to consist largely of dark matter. Due to its faintness, Coma Berenices can be challenging to locate under light-polluted skies. A practical method is to trace an imaginary line from Arcturus in Bo¨otes to Regulus in Leo, with Coma Berenices lying between these two bright reference points. [2,5,6]

Figure 2: The Northern Constellations

As the largest constellation of the zodiac and the second largest overall, Virgo spans a vast region along the celestial equator. Its brightest star, Spica (Alpha Virginis), is a rapidly rotating spectroscopic binary composed of a luminous blue giant and a close companion, completing an orbit in about four days. The primary star is roughly 2,300 times more luminous than the Sun. Virgo is renowned for the Virgo Cluster, a vast collection of up to 2,000 galaxies. Notable members include the spiral Messier 58 [Figure 3a], the ellipticals Messier 59 and Messier 60, and Messier 84 and Messier 86, which form part of Markarian’s Chain—a striking alignment near the cluster’s core that also features the interacting Eyes Galaxies (NGC 4438/4435) [Figure 3b]. Virgo can be easily located using Spica—simply follow the arc of the Big Dipper’s handle to a bright blue-white star. [2,7]

Figure 3: The Southern Constellations

Corvus, the Raven, is a compact region of the sky covering about 184 square degrees. Despite its modest size, its four brightest stars, Gienah (Gamma Corvi), Kraz (Beta Corvi), Algorab (Delta Corvi), and Minkar (Epsilon Corvi), form a distinctive quadrilateral near Spica, known as “Spica’s Spanker” or “the Sail.” With magnitudes ranging from 2.6 to 3.0, these stars are visible to the naked eye under good observing conditions. Although Corvus contains no Messier objects, it offers notable deep-sky targets, including the Antennae Galaxies, a pair of colliding galaxies whose interaction has triggered intense star formation, making them a key subject in studies of galactic evolution. Corvus also contains NGC 4361 [Figure 3c], a large planetary nebula near the constellation’s center. [2,8]

Planetary Location

In May, Jupiter and Venus will be visible in the night sky from dusk until they set along the western horizon. Saturn will rise in the eastern sky during the early morning hours and remain visible until it is obscured by the Sun’s glare. Mars will be difficult to observe during the first week due to its proximity to the Sun; however, it will become visible from the second week onward once it reaches an altitude of 10 degrees. Mercury will not be observable due to its proximity to the Sun. [9,10]

On 14 May, at 01:32 a.m., the Waning Crescent Moon and Saturn will make a close approach, appearing within 5°03’ of each other. Later that morning, at 05:58 a.m., the two will reach conjunction, with the Moon passing 5°41’ north of Saturn. The Moon, shining brightly at magnitude -10.4, will be located in the constellation Pisces, while Saturn, at magnitude 0.7, will lie in Cetus. These events will not be observable at their exact times, as their close approach occurs while both objects remain below the horizon, and their conjunction takes place amid the glare of the rising Sun. Nevertheless, the pair may be observed in proximity as they rise together in the eastern sky at around 04:00 a.m. [Figure 4], remaining visible before being gradually obscured by increasing daylight. [11,12]

The following day, at 08:44 a.m., the Moon and Mars will share the same right ascension, marking their conjunction, with the Moon passing 5°09’ north of Mars. Both objects will be located in the constellation Pisces, with the Moon shining at magnitude -9.5 and Mars at magnitude 1.2. The exact moment of conjunction will not be observable, as it occurs during daytime; however, the pair may be seen close together above the eastern horizon at around 04:40 a.m. [Figure 5], remaining visible briefly before being lost in the glare of the Sun. [10, 13]

Figure 4: The view of the eastern sky showing the close pairing of the Moon and Saturn on 14 May at 04:00 a.m. using Stellarium.

Figure 5: The view of the eastern sky showing the close pairing of the Moon and Venus on 15 May at 04:40 a.m. using Stellarium.

On 19 May at 09:49 a.m., the 3-day-old Moon will pass 2°56’ north of Venus, marking their conjunction. At nearly the same time, the two will also form a close approach, or appulse, with the same angular separation of 2°56’. Set against the stars of Taurus, the Moon will shine at magnitude -10.0, while Venus will appear at magnitude -4.0. While the exact moment occurs during daytime and cannot be observed, the pair will become visible in the dusk sky at around 06:50 p.m. [Figure 6], remaining close together until they set along the northwestern horizon. [10,14,15]

On 20 May at 08:37 p.m., the Waxing Crescent Moon will be in conjunction with Jupiter, with the Moon passing 3°05’ north of the planet. Approximately one hour later, their angular separation will decrease slightly to 3°00’, forming a close approach, or appulse. Both objects will be located in the constellation Gemini, with the Moon shining at magnitude -11.0 and Jupiter at magnitude -1.9. The exact timing of their conjunction can be observed in the western sky, as shown in Figure 7; however, their appulse will be challenging to view as the pair descends further toward the horizon. [16,17]

Figure 6: The view of the northwestern sky showing the close pairing of the Moon and Venus on 19 May at 06:50 p.m. using Stellarium.

Figure 7: The view of the western sky showing the conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter on 20 May at 08:37 p.m. using Stellarium.

All the conjunctions and near approaches mentioned between the planet and the moon, or planet to planet, will be visible enough to fit within the field of view of a telescope and can also be viewed with the naked eye or using a pair of binoculars.

Blue Moon

On 31 May 2026, at 04:45 p.m., the Moon will reach full phase for the second time within the month, an event known as a Blue Moon. This term refers to the second full moon occurring within a single calendar month. [10]

A Blue Moon is a consequence of the slight divergence between the lunar cycle and the calendar year. The Moon completes its phases approximately every 29.53 days, resulting in about 12.37 full moons each year. Consequently, roughly every 2.8 years, a year will contain 13 full moons instead of the usual 12. When this happens, one calendar month will include two full moons—thus producing a Blue Moon. This typically occurs when a full moon falls on the first or second day of the month, allowing enough time for another full moon before the month ends. [18]

The expression “once in a blue moon” reflects the relative rarity of this event, as it occurs only once every few years. The most recent Blue Moon took place on 31 August 2023.

Meteor Showers

The η-Aquariid meteor shower will be active from 19 April to 28 May, with peak activity expected on 05 May. This meteor shower is produced by debris from Comet 1P/Halley and is expected to generate a nominal rate of around forty (40) meteors per hour under favorable conditions. The shower will not be visible until approximately 01:31 a.m. each night, when its radiant—located in the constellation Aquarius—rises above the eastern horizon. It will remain observable until the onset of dawn at around 05:06 a.m. Although the radiant culminates after sunrise, the best viewing conditions are expected shortly before dawn, around 05:00 a.m. [Figure 8], when the radiant is highest in the sky. The Moon, situated in Sagittarius, will be near its last quarter phase at the time of peak activity. Its presence in the pre-dawn sky may cause significant interference, reducing the visibility of fainter meteors. [19,20]

Figure 8: The view of the east southeastern sky during the peak of eta Aquariid meteor shower on 05 May 2026 at 05:00 a.m. when the shower’s radiant is represented by the green solid circle.

A relatively subtle meteor shower, the η-Lyrids, will be active from 03 to 14 May, peaking on 08 May. This meteor shower originates from debris left by Comet C/1983 H1 (IRAS-Araki-Alcock) and is expected to produce up to three (3) meteors per hour under ideal observing conditions. The shower becomes observable once the constellation Lyra, the location of its radiant, rises above the eastern horizon at approximately 08:59 p.m. each night. It will remain visible until about 05:05 a.m. the following day. The radiant reaches its highest point in the sky at around 04:00 a.m. [Figure 9], and thus the best viewing conditions are expected shortly before dawn, when the radiant is highest. The presence of the Moon in Capricornus, near its last quarter phase at peak activity, may result in significant pre-dawn sky brightness, thereby reducing the visibility of fainter meteors. [21]

Figure 9: The view of the northern sky during the peak of eta Lyrid meteor shower on 08 May 2026 at 04:00 a.m. when the shower’s radiant is represented by the green solid circle.

Meteor showers are observable through the naked eye, and no special equipment, such as telescopes or binoculars is needed. Maximize the viewing experience by choosing a dark observation site away from the city lights under clear and moonless sky conditions.

Watch: Astronomical Events for May 2026

Notes and References

Notes:
*following day
• All times displayed are in Philippine Standard Time (PhST)

References:
[1] PAGASA Special Publication No. 840; The Philippine Star Atlas 2019/Stellarium Software
[2] C. Guide, “Constellations: A Guide to the Night Sky.” https://www.constellation-guide.com/constellations-by-month/mayconstellations/, Last accessed on 2026-04-21, 2026.
[3] Go Astronomy, “CANES VENATICI CONSTELLATION” https://www.go-astronomy.com/constellations.php?Name=Canes%20Venatici, Last accessed on 2026-04-21, 2026.
[4] Label Stars, “Canes Venatici Constellation: The Ultimate Guide” https://labelstars.com/en/constellations-list/canesvenatici-constellation, Last accessed on 2026-04-21, 2026.
[5] Go Astronomy, “COMA BERENICES CONSTELLATION” https://www.go-astronomy.com/constellations.php?Name=Coma%20Berenices, Last accessed on 2026-04-21, 2026.
[6] Label Stars, “Coma Berenices Constellation: The Ultimate Guide” https://labelstars.com/en/constellations-list/comaberenices-constellation, Last accessed on 2026-04-21, 2026.
[7] Go Astronomy, “VIRGO CONSTELLATION” https://www.go-astronomy.com/constellations.php?Name=Virgo, Last accessed on 2026-04-21, 2026.
[8] Go Astronomy, “CORVUS CONSTELLATION” https://www.go-astronomy.com/constellations.php?Name=Corvus, Last accessed on 2026-04-21, 2026.
[9] D. Ford, “In-The-Sky.org Guide to the night sky: “Objects in your sky: Planets” https://in-the-sky.org/data/planets.php, Last accessed on 2026-04-21, 2026.
[10] Multi-Interactive Computer Almanac (MICA), Last accessed on 2026-04-21, 2026.
[11] D. Ford, In-The-Sky.org Guide to the night sky: “Close approach of the Moon and Saturn” https://in-the-sky.org/news.php?id=20260513 15 100, Last accessed on 2026-04-21, 2026.
[12] D. Ford, In-The-Sky.org Guide to the night sky: “Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn” https://in-the-sky.org/news.php?id=20260513 20 100, Last accessed on 2026-04-21, 2026.
[13] D. Ford, In-The-Sky.org Guide to the night sky: “Conjunction of the Moon and Mars” https://in-the-sky.org/news.php?id=20260515 20 100, Last accessed on 2026-04-21, 2026.
[14] D. Ford, In-The-Sky.org Guide to the night sky: “Conjunction of the Moon and Venus” https://in-the-sky.org/news.php?id=20260519 20 100, Last accessed on 2026-04-21, 2026.
[15] D. Ford, In-The-Sky.org Guide to the night sky: “Close approach of the Moon and Venus” https://in-the-sky.org/news.php?id=20260519 15 100, Last accessed on 2026-04-21, 2026.
[16] D. Ford, In-The-Sky.org Guide to the night sky: “Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter” https://in-the-sky.org/news.php?id=20260520 20 100, Last accessed on 2026-04-21, 2026.
[17] D. Ford, In-The-Sky.org Guide to the night sky: “Close approach of the Moon and Jupiter” https://in-the-sky.org/news.php?id=20260520 15 100, Last accessed on 2026-04-21, 2026.
[18] D. Ford, In-The-Sky.org Guide to the night sky: “Blue Moon” https://in-the-sky.org/news.php?id=20260531 08 100, Last accessed on 2026-04-21, 2026.
[19] IMO - International Meteor Organization, “List of Meteor Showers for Observation Session” https://www.imo.net/members/imo showers/working shower list, Last accessed on 2026-04-21, 2026.
[20] D. Ford, In-The-Sky.org Guide to the night sky: “η-Aquariid meteor shower 2026” https://in-the-sky.org/news.php?id=20260506 10 100, Last accessed on 2026-04-21, 2026.
[21] D. Ford, In-The-Sky.org Guide to the night sky: “η-Lyrid meteor shower 2026” https://in-the-sky.org/news.php?id=20260508 10 100, Last accessed on 2026-04-21, 2026.

For more information, call or email:

Ms. Ma. Rosario C. Ramos
Chief, SSAS - RDTD
PAGASA - DOST
Diliman, Quezon City
Trunkline: 8284-0800 loc 3015, 3016, 3017
Email address: astronomy@pagasa.dost.gov.ph

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