May 6 – Full Moon – Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
The Moon will be facing the Sun as seen from Earth, and the part of the Moon facing Earth will be fully illuminated. This phase occurs at 00:36. This full moon was called the Full Flower Moon by ancient Native American tribes because it is the time when spring flowers appear the most. This moon is also known as the Corn Planting Moon and the Milk Moon.
This full moon we have the opportunity to observe the phenomenon of penumbral lunar eclipse. A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the penumbra, or penumbra, of the Earth. During this type of lunar eclipse, the Moon will darken slightly but not be obscured. The eclipse will be visible across Asia and Australia as well as parts of Eastern Europe and East Africa.
Penumbral lunar eclipse, by Gyorgy Soponyai.
May 5 and 6 – Eta Aquarid meteor shower
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is an above-average shower, reaching up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak. Most meteors will be visible in the southern hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, the frequency only reaches about 30 meteors per hour. The Eta Aquarids meteor shower is formed from dust grains from Comet Halley, a celestial body known and observed since ancient times. The Eta Aquarids meteor shower typically occurs annually from April 29 to May 28, peaking this year on the night of May 5 and the morning of May 6. The light of a nearly full moon will obscure all but the brightest meteors. But if you’re patient, you might still be able to spot some beautiful meteors. It is best to observe in dark places after midnight. Meteors tend to radiate from the constellation Aquarius, but can appear from anywhere in the sky.
May 19 – New Moon
The Moon will be on the same side of the Sun as seen from Earth and will not be visible in the night sky. This phase occurred at 10:55 p.m. This will be the best time of the month to observe faint objects like galaxies and star clusters, which will not be affected by moonlight.
May 29 – Mercury reaches maximum western elongation
Mercury reaches a western elongation position, up to 24.9 degrees from the Sun. The best time to view Mercury is when it is highest on the horizon in the morning. Look for the planet in the eastern sky before dawn.
See more 2023 ephemeris here: https://deepsky2000.net/lich-cac-su-kien-thien-van-nam-2023
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