Man Stargazing

Moon Phases

Eye on the Night Sky, May 21, 2025

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Today:
Saturn continues to rise a few minutes earlier each night, breaking the eastern horizon just before 3 AM tomorrow morning, although not alone, the Waning Crescent Moon having risen 30 minutes before the ringed world. As they rise a bit higher by 4 o’clock, Venus adds to the display, just as the gathering twilight of the dawn starts to blossom.

Thursday:
Early risers get their reward in the blush of morning twilight over the next few mornings, thanks to a visual treat from the thinning Crescent of the Moon, its slender form to the upper right of the brilliant Venus, best viewed from 4 to 4:30, and accompanied by Saturn, fainter and to their right. The Moon appears even thinner, and left of Venus Saturday morning.

Friday:
The star Spica, due south at 10 o’clock this evening, will help guide you to the stars of Corvus, the Crow. Well to the lower right of Spica, look for an odd shaped “box” of stars. The lower left star is the tail of the Crow, while the three other stars form his head, flanked by out-stretched wings.

Start Chart:

Mars is on the move through the month, passing the “twin” stars of Gemini, perfectly aligned on the evening of the 10th.

January Start Chart

This program is a partnership between the Fairbanks Museum and Vermont Public.