The winter 2024/2025 has plenty to offer in the night sky. For example two planetary oppositions and an occultation of Saturn by the Moon. That’s by no means all, however.

What celestial events should you absolutely not miss? Find out about all of this and more in our new infographic, which highlights the most spectacular celestial phenomena of the winter season.

Happy stargazing!

December

4 December: Moon meets Venus
In the evening of December 4, the sky offers a particularly brilliant spectacle. During twilight the crescent Moon and the radiant planet Venus come close together just above the Southwestern horizon. The Moon will appear as an ultra-thin crescent, as it will only be three days past New Moon. Venus will shine about 4.5 degrees above the Moon and is easily visible with the naked eye. This event provides a perfect opportunity for a picturesque photo, especially during the early stages of twilight.

7 December: Jupiter at Opposition
Starting in early December, Jupiter, the largest planet in our Solar System, will be in opposition to the Sun. This means it will be visible all night and can already be seen above the horizon during evening twilight. Jupiter is the brightest object in the night sky, besides our Moon and Venus. Compare its brightness to the brightest stars in the firmament: Jupiter outshines them all, making it a striking presence.

8 December: Moon meets Saturn
At nightfall of December 8 the Moon and Saturn will be high in the night sky. Both celestial bodies will be in the constellation of Aquarius, which is difficult to recognize due to its faint stars. Meanwhile, the bright planet Venus will glow in the Southwest.

14 December: Geminid Meteor Shower
During the night of December 14 the Geminids will reach their peak. This meteor shower appears to originate from the constellation of Gemini and is often regarded as the strongest one of the year. Its theoretical rate is around 120 meteors per hour, but in reality, fewer are visible. This year the full Moon will interfere, making only the brightest meteors visible. Still, it’s worth heading outside for the chance to catch a particularly bright meteor.

17 December: Moon meets Mars
On December 17 the waning Moon and the planet Mars will be about 5 degrees apart. The red planet and the faintly shimmering crescent Moon will create a fascinating sight together.

25 December: Moon meets Spica
In the early morning hours of December 25 the Moon will approach Spica, the brightest star in the constellation of Virgo. This constellation is typical for the spring sky and Spica will rise higher as winter progresses. A great reason to set your alarm a little earlier!

January

3 January: Moon meets Venus
In the early evening hours of January 3 we’ll witness another encounter between the thin crescent Moon and the planet Venus. Especially during twilight this celestial event emits sheer beauty. Those who look closely may also spot Saturn, which shines much fainter and lies above Venus.

4 January: Moon occults Saturn
On January 4 we’re in for a rare celestial event: The Moon will occult Saturn. At 6:34 PM CET Saturn will disappear behind the dark side of the Moon, as if someone has switched off a light. At 7:36 PM Saturn will re-appear on the other side of the Moon. Start observing a few minutes before Saturn disappears to fully experience the event. A must-see for Astronomy enthusiasts!

9 January: Golden Handle
On January 9 a special light phenomenon will appear on the Moon: The so-called “Golden Handle.” This isn’t an astronaut’s artifact, but a fascinating play of light. The phenomenon occurs when the Moon is 83% illuminated, about 10 days after New Moon. The rising Sun illuminates the mountain peaks of the Jura range, while the valley remains in darkness, creating the impression of a golden handle. Starting at around 5 PM CET it’s worth taking a look through a telescope to enjoy this unique spectacle.

13 January: Moon meets Mars
In the evening of January 13 the Moon and Mars will meet, shining together in the constellation of Gemini. The evening is a good time for an observation, but there’s an even better time: During the early morning hours. Why observe in the morning? Well, during the night the Moon will creep closer to Mars, approaching the red planet within just 0.2 degrees.

16 January: Mars at Opposition
On January 16 the planet Mars will be in opposition and visible high in the night sky all night long. The planet’s diameter will be about 14.5 arcseconds. Along with the bright stars Castor and Pollux in the constellation of Gemini Mars will form a prominent triangle. At a distance of 96 million kilometers, Mars is only five light minutes away from Earth – a great opportunity to observe the red planet through a telescope.

17 January: Saturn meets Venus
In the evening of January 17 Saturn and Venus will stand within about 2 degrees of each other. Not only is this constellation a visual delight, but it also allows for an easy comparison of the two planets’ brightness. Venus will shine 194 times brighter than Saturn. A wonderful reason to observe both planets during twilight.

February

1 February: Moon meets Saturn and Venus
This evening the slender waxing crescent Moon will slip between the planets Saturn and Venus. A striking sight – especially beautiful during twilight. This celestial event offers an excellent opportunity for a stunning photo: The crescent Moon framed by two planets – a true feast for the eyes.

6 February: Moon meets Jupiter and the Pleiades
On February 6, the Moon will move along the ecliptic and reach the famous open star cluster, the Pleiades. Also known as the “Seven Sisters,” the star cluster lies in the constellation Taurus and, together with the bright planet Jupiter, creates a magnificent celestial scene. As the Moon travels, it regularly passes through the so-called “Golden Gate of the Ecliptic,” whose pillars are the Pleiades and the Hyades star cluster. A stunning sight that showcases the Moon’s journey among stars and planets.

9 February: Moon meets Mars
On February 9 the Moon and the red planet Mars will come close again, just shy by 0.5 degrees. Visible in the evening hours, this close pairing is truly impressive. Make sure to take advantage of this opportunity, as the distance between the two is incredibly small.

12 February: Moon meets Regulus
On February 12 the Moon will pass through the constellation of Leo and approach Regulus, the brightest star in Leo. Regulus is one of the brightest stars in the winter sky and, together with the Moon, gives us a preview of the spring constellations to come. Even though it might still be cold, the sky is hinting that spring is not far away.

17 February: Moon meets Spica
On February 17 the Moon will approach Spica, the brightest star in Virgo. Spica is one of the brightest spring stars and will still be fairly low on the horizon during the night of February 17. However as the night progresses, Spica will rise higher, making it an excellent opportunity to observe it alongside the glowing crescent Moon. A lovely chance to re-acquaint yourself with the spring constellations.

From encounters with famous planets – thereof two oppositions – up to nights with beautiful meteor showers: The starry fall sky from September to November offers fascinating views for all stargazers.

In the current infographic “Astro Highlights in Autumn 2024” we have compiled the most beautiful of these celestial events.

You are welcome to use the graphic on our website (with a link to www.astroshop.eu) and inform your visitors about upcoming exciting events.

September:

8.9. Saturn in opposition

Saturn is in opposition to the Sun and reaches its best visibility. It can be seen all night long and shines with a brightness of 0.5 magnitudes. It is as bright as the brightest stars in the sky, but is easily recognizable by its yellowish color and steady glow. The ringed planet will reach its highest position – the meridian – only after midnight, making it particularly good to behold in telescopes. Its currently present narrow ring opening is striking, which will continue to diminish until Saturn reaches its edge-on position to Earth in March of next year. This however will not be visible to us because the ringed planet will then be in conjunction with the Sun.

17.9. Moon and Saturn

On September 17th, at 19:15 CEST, we expect a beautiful celestial spectacle: The rising full Moon meets the planet Saturn. The bright Moon and the comparatively weaker Saturn will appear in the evening sky about 5.5 degrees apart. Saturn, which was in opposition to the Sun on September 8th, remains well visible.

18.9. Partial Lunar Eclipse

During the night of September 18th we will experience a glimpse of Earth’s shadow: A partial lunar eclipse. Early birds can perceive the first shadow on the Moon at 4:12am CEST, approaching from the northwest. The maximum coverage of just under 10 percent will be reached around 4:45am CEST. The Moon will finally emerge completely from the Earth’s umbra at 5:18am CEST. Although this is just a minor eclipse, it is a must for all amateur astronomers – keep your telescopes and binoculars ready.

21.9. Neptune in Opposition

On September 21st Neptune reaches its opposition and shines with a brightness of 7.8 mag in the night sky. The planet is visible all night long and can be observed with both telescopes and binoculars. Neptune shows a distinct disc size and a characteristic color appearance in the eyepiece, that clearly distinguishes it from the surrounding stars. Definitely an exciting target for all amateur astronomers.

23.9. Moon meets Jupiter

Just after midnight on September 23rd we can observe the Moon and Jupiter in the constellation of Taurus. Both celestial bodies are about 6 degrees apart. At dawn they will gradually dissipate through the incoming sunlight.

25.9. Moon meets Mars

During the night of September 25th  we can once again observe an encounter between the Moon and Mars. The Moon begins its journey over the Eastern horizon, followed shortly by the Red Planet.

October:

5.10. Moon meets Venus

On October 5th you can observe an interesting celestial event on the western horizon: Venus as the evening star meets the crescent Moon. This encounter will be clearly visible in the evening.

9.10. Draconid Meteor Shower

The Draconid meteor shower peaks on October 9th. Meteors of this shower originate from the constellation of Draco, which is located above the Big Dipper. The activity of these shooting stars can vary greatly, so it is recommended to watch out for the Draconids also several days before and after October 9th.

14.10. Moon meets Saturn

In the evening of October 14th a beautiful conjunction between the Moon and Saturn will appear. Saturn, which was in opposition to the Sun last month, still remains visible all night long. During this time Saturn appears particularly bright and prominent, making it an impressive sight in the night sky. The proximity to the Moon enhances the visual impact and offers amateur astronomers a wonderful opportunity for observations.

21.10. Moon meets Jupiter

During this special night you will experience a close encounter between the Moon and Jupiter in the sky, only about 9.5 degrees apart. Both celestial bodies appear amidst a dense field of bright stars, including Capella, Aldebaran and Betelgeuse.

Capella, the brightest star in the constellation of Auriga, shines intensely and has fascinated observers for centuries. Aldebaran, the reddish giant in the constellation of Taurus, marks the prominent eye of the bull. Betelgeuse, a red supergiant in the constellation of Orion, is one of the largest and brightest known stars.

22.10. Orionid Meteor Shower

On October 22nd we expect a night of shooting stars: The Orionids will spawn about 25 to 30 meteors per hour across the night sky. However, their number can vary greatly from year to year. In order to have the best chances for a clear view, observers should use the early morning hours.

The Orionids originate from the famous Halley’s Comet. When Earth passes through the remnants of the comet’s tail, this annual celestial event occurs. The meteors seem to come from the constellation of Orion, which stands out in the southeastern sky during the morning hours. Unfortunately, the Moon will interfere with the observation this year.

A deck chair or a blanket can be helpful for comfortably looking up at the sky. Warm clothing and hot drinks provide additional comfort during an observation in these chilly morning hours.

24.10. Moon meets Mars

On October 24th there is the opportunity to follow the Moon and Mars almost horizontally side by side in the night sky. These two celestial bodies appear together for a short time, offering a picturesque spectacle.

Mars appears as a bright red dot, contrasting with the silver glow of the Moon’s surface. Together they move slowly across the sky and set as a tandem around 23:00pm CEST. Mars will become brighter and its disc diameter will steadily increase, until it reaches a size of 14 arcseconds during its opposition in January.

November:

5.11. Moon meets Venus

Venus is currently our evening star, but sets before 19:00pm CEST. On November 5th we can admire the slim crescent Moon together with the brightly shining Venus. The young crescent Moon is only four days old and thus only illuminated by 16 percent. A very aesthetic experience.

10.11. Moon meets Saturn

Saturn and the Moon appear together on November 10th at about 5 degrees apart in the constellation of Aquarius, offering a beautiful view in the night sky.

17.11. Uranus in Opposition

Uranus reaches its opposition and presents itself with a visual brightness of 5.6 mag. Theoretically it could be seen with the naked eye, but in practice it is recommended to use binoculars or a telescope for a clear view.

To locate it it is best to use a star chart to approach it. In the telescope Uranus then appears as a small, sharply outlined disc with a slightly greenish hue. This event offers you the best chance to observe the seventh planet of our solar system.

17.11. Moon meets Jupiter

Shortly after dusk we can see the Moon and Jupiter rise above the horizon. They are framed by the constellations Auriga and Taurus, which contain the bright stars Capella and Aldebaran. A little higher above we see the famous Pleiades star cluster.

17.11. Leonid Meteor Shower

In the night of November 16th to 17th the Leonids reach their peak, offering an impressive celestial event with up to 20 meteors per hour. This event is a must for meteor fans!

The Leonids owe their name to the constellation of Leo, from which they seem to originate. The true origin of this meteor shower lies in the comet Tempel-Tuttle and its particles cause these meteor showers every year. Particularly remarkable: Every 33 years, the meteor shower intensifies into a real meteor storm, producing far more than 20 meteors per hour – sometimes even up to several hundreds per hour!

20.11. Moon meets Mars

The last significant celestial event in November is the conjunction between the Moon and the planet Mars. During this night the Moon passes by the planet Mars and continues towards the constellation of Cancer near the beautiful M44 star cluster, which is also known as the “Beehive Cluster”.

For sky watchers this event offers an opportunity to see several objects simultaneously. The red planet Mars, the Moon and the prominent M44 star cluster, which you can easily spot already with a small pair of binoculars.

Warm summer nights under a clear sky – this is not only a beautiful sight for amateur astronomers. Of course the nights are now particularly short, but even in the astronomically bright sky we can observe wonderful events. How about a first-class planetary meeting, a close encounter between Spica and the Moon and the long-awaited occultation of the planet Saturn by the Moon? We are certainly also looking forward to the shooting stars in August.

In the current infographic “Astrohighlights in Summer 2024” we have compiled the most beautiful celestial events.

Feel free to use the graphics on your website (with a link to www.astroshop.eu) and also inform your visitors about upcoming exciting events.

June
3.6. Mars meets the Moon
A celestial spectacle awaits early birds on June 3rd. As you look East at dawn, you will witness the reddish Mars and the thin crescent Moon forming a close conjunction – separated only by 2.6 degrees in the sky. This cosmic meeting is not only a fascinating sight, but also a great opportunity for astrophotography.

11.6. The Moon meets Regulus
A celestial view that looks almost royal can be admired tonight: The Moon joins Regulus, the bright main star of the constellation of Leo. The Moon will accompany the majestic lion for two more days, before continuing its journey and entering the next constellation.

16.6. Spica meets the Moon
On June 16th you can pay attention to a close meeting in the night sky between the Moon and Spica, the main star in Virgo. The two approach each other at a distance of only 0.25 degrees. Almost a “cosmic kiss” between these two celestial bodies. Spica, often occulted by the Moon, stays out of an occultation tonight. However, the short distance to the Moon offers an excellent opportunity for observers and photographers to capture this event. So get your telescopes and cameras ready!

27.6. The Moon meets Saturn
In the night of June 27th to 28th the Moon will be relatively close to Saturn. The Moon will approach the ringed planet during its journey and it will almost appear, as if our Moon is going to cover Saturn. From our latitude however, this phenomenon is not visible, as the Moon and Saturn are only visible after midnight. Unfortunately there is no occultation now – we have to wait a bit longer for such an event.

28.6. The Moon meets Neptune
While the rest of the World is still asleep in the early hours of June 28th, the Moon slowly moves towards Neptune – the distant gas giant on the outer edge of our Solar System. With a telescope we can try to catch a glimpse of this planet. Due to its great distance, it appears only as a small disk without recognizable details.

July
1.7. Comet 12P/Olbers
Comets are visitors to the inner Solar System before they disappear for a long time into the outer regions thereof. Once in a while it does happen that they are becoming really bright objects. This year we have already had the luck to observe the comet 12P/Pons-Brooks. In July a relatively bright comet can be seen in the sky: The comet 12P/Olbers. It will reach a brightness of 7.5 mag at the beginning of the month and can be seen with binoculars or a telescope. Unfortunately it is close to the horizon, thus making an observation not so easy. First you should find a location with a unobstructed view of the horizon. In addition, the horizon must be crystal clear, because even small or thin clouds can disturb the observation. If the conditions are good, you should definitely try to observe it!

2./3.7. The Moon meets Jupiter, Mars, Uranus and the Pleiades
The dawn of July 2nd and 3rd offers a beautiful celestial spectacle: The thin crescent Moon meets the planets Jupiter, Mars and Uranus during the night. All these objects are located near the famous Pleiades star cluster. This constellation offers an excellent opportunity for astrophotography in order to capture the meeting of these different celestial objects.

6.7. Ceres in opposition
In the night of July 6th Ceres, the largest dwarf planet in our Solar System, will reach its opposition point. This means that it appears to stand directly opposite to the Sun and is therefore visible all night long. With a brightness of 7.3 mag, Ceres is theoretically visible even with binoculars under favorable conditions, although a telescope is recommended for the observation. Due to its star-like appearance, it is necessary to use a star map to undoubtedly identify Ceres in the starry sky. Being without the distinctive features of a planet, the observation of Ceres requires careful planning and observation.

15.7. Mars meets Uranus
In the early morning of July 15th, it is worth looking at the sky when Mars passes by just below Uranus. The two planets will approach each other just shy of half a degree. This means they will appear in the same field of view in a telescope with a wide-angle (<65°) eyepiece. Have you seen this before? A good opportunity tonight. However, you may start observing only after 2 a.m. onwards. In the course of this night, both planets will rise higher in the sky, improving their visibility and observability.

23.7. Pluto in opposition
The dwarf planet with the big heart will be in opposition to the Sun today and will reach a brightness of 14.3 magnitudes. Therefore this former planet is only visible with large telescopes. It is however possible to image it with smaller telescopes. For the mere observation search charts are recommended.

30.7. Delta Aquarids
Watch out for the Delta Aquarids on July 30th. These meteors appear in the constellation of Aquarius and reach a maximum rate of 25 each per hour. The best time for observation is before midnight, as the Moon will appear above the horizon during the second half of the night. An interesting event for all who love shooting stars.

30.7. The Moon meets Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus
In the early morning of July 30th the Moon, Mars, and Jupiter can be observed in a striking constellation, close to the most famous star cluster – the Pleiades. Framed by the prominent stars Aldebaran and Capella, they create an impressive picture in the night sky. If you look into the sky at the beginning of dawn, you can really only admire this beautiful sight.

August
12.8. Perseids
A cosmic performance unfolds in the vast and rich nightsky of August: The Perseid meteor shower.
The Perseids, as they are called by astronomers, shoot numerous times across the sky this evening and we look up with anticipation. Perhaps we will discover bright examples that we can particularly enjoy.
The media often promises a “spectacular fireworks display of 100 shooting stars per hour, a true rain of shooting stars”. This is often an exaggeration, but even without exaggerating the Perseids can be a sensory and fascinating experience for us.
The Moon is now in its first quarter and will set before midnight. After that we can observe in darkness and undisturbed by stray light. All that’s missing is a comfortable blanket, a warm tea and friends who are enthusiastic about observing – so this evening may become a true success.

14.8. Mars meets Jupiter
In the early hours of August 14th a remarkable event will take place for observers, as Mars and Jupiter will approach each other at an extremely close distance of only 0.3 degrees. This short distance is extremely rare compared to the usual distances between planets in the sky and will appear almost, as if the two planets are touching. An ideal opportunity to grab binoculars or a telescope and observe the event. You can see both planets in one field of view, even at high magnification – a spectacular sight that does not happen very often.

21.8. The Moon covers Saturn
In the night of August 21st a very special spectacle presents itself: The Moon will cover the planet Saturn. Although the Moon and Saturn are already visible during the evening hours, the actual occultation does not occur until the early morning hours. At 5:32 a.m., when the Moon approaches Saturn from its illuminated side, the occultation begins. The ringed planet disappears behind the Moon for about an hour and then re-appears around 6:32 a.m. on the unilluminated side of the Moon. At that time the Moon will still be above the horizon, although the Sun will have already risen about 10 minutes earlier.

26.8. The Moon meets the Pleiades
On August 26th an interesting astronomical encounter will take place: The Moon will be in the famous Pleiades star cluster. Additionally, the Moon will move from the West towards the bright star Atlas and cover it in the early morning hours (from 5:40 a.m.). That is not all however, because in the constellation of Taurus there is still more to discover: If you look a little lower, you will find the planets Mars and Jupiter. The planet Uranus is in the same constellation as well, but since it is only visible with binoculars or a telescope, you will need a search chart.

27.8. The Moon meets Jupiter and Mars
In the night of August 27th it is worth looking again at Taurus, which appears above the horizon in the second half of the night. The constellation is accompanied by the planets Jupiter and Mars. Especially at early dawn, when the sky turns blueish, they form an incredibly beautiful trio together with the waning Moon.

Look up in the sky and be amazed by the interesting Astronomical events of the coming months! A comet in the evening sky, an impressive meteor shower, as well as fascinating encounters between the Moon and the planets or stars, are waiting to be observed. To make sure you do not miss any of these highlights, we have collected an overview of these celestial events under “Astrohighlights in Spring 2024”.

In this graphic you will find a quick overview and a selection of particularly interesting celestial phenomena. Further information and detailed explanations can be found in the accompanying text.

We wish you a lot of fun when observing!

May

03.03. Moon meets Antares
On March 3rd, amateur astronomers can witness an interesting event in the sky: In the early morning hours, just before dawn, you can observe the waning Moon meeting Antares, the reddish bright star in the constellation of Scorpius. The two celestial bodies will be only about 2 degrees apart, which is approximately four times the diameter of the full Moon. Such celestial encounters are not only visually appealing, but also provide an opportunity to understand the motion of the Moon among the “background” of stars.

13.03. Moon meets Jupiter
In the evening of March 13th, skywatchers can experience an impressive meeting of two objects in the night sky: The slender crescent Moon and Jupiter, the largest planet in our Solar System. Both objects will be high in the sky during this evening’s twilight in the constellation of Aries – with Jupiter standing out due to its enormous brightness. The Moon sets at 10:50pm on this day. In March, Jupiter remains visible for a while after sunset, but its setting times become earlier throughout the month.

18.03. Moon meets Pollux
On March 18th the waxing Moon visits the constellation of Gemini and approaches Pollux, the brightest star in this constellation. Despite its brightness, Pollux is called Beta Geminorum, even though “Beta” is usually indicating the second brightest star of a constellation.

22.03. Mercury in the evening
On March 22nd there is a great opportunity to observe Mercury in the evening sky. It reaches its best evening visibility of the year and a few days later, on March 24th, it will be in Eastern elongation to the Sun. If you have never seen Mercury before, this is the perfect time to take a look at the innermost planet of our Solar System. We recommend watching after 7pm, when the Sun has already set more than half an hour earlier.

26.03. Moon meets Spica
On March 26th the Moon meets the star Spica, the brightest star in the constellation of Virgo. This event occurs just one day after the full Moon.

April

01.04. Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks
Amateur astronomers can now take a look at the comet “12P/Pons-Brooks”. Although it is a rare event to spot a bright comet in the sky, this one can already be found with binoculars (and maybe even with the naked eye). It reaches its closest point to the Sun and its greatest brightness on April 21st, but at this time it will only be visible slightly above the horizon. On April 10th there is a nice reunion in the Western sky between the Moon and Jupiter during the early evening hours. Just below these two you will find the comet. If you observe Jupiter on April 13th, simply look 3 degrees lower and vertically towards the horizon. Then you have found the comet.

08.04. Total Solar Eclipse (North America)
On April 8th a total Solar Eclipse will occur over North America. The path of the totality extends across Mexico, the USA, and Canada. The maximum duration of the totality depends on the location and may reach up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds. The eclipse will not be visible in Europe.

10.04. Moon meets Jupiter
On April 10th the delicate crescent Moon joins Jupiter. At twilight we will enjoy a particularly beautiful sight that is certainly worth a photo. Not far from this heavenly meeting the comet “12P/Pons-Brooks” can also be seen above the Western horizon.

18.04. Golden Handle
The “Golden Handle” appears at 83% of the lunar phase, about 10 days after a New Moon, and is a visual phenomenon along the light/shadow terminator of the Moon. It is located in the Bay of Sinus Iridium, a lava-flooded crater surrounded by a mountain range called the Jura Mountains. Due to the height of these mountains, the phenomenon occurs when the rising Sun illuminates the mountain peaks and creates the “Golden Handle”.

21.04. T Coronae Borealis
T Coronae Borealis is a variable star in the constellation of Corona Borealis, located about 2,700 light-years away from us. It usually has a brightness of 10.8 mag, but within a cycle of about 80 years it can become more than 1000 times brighter than a nova. The star can reach up to 2 mag during such an outburst, surpassing even the brightest star Gemma in the Northern Crown. Such events occurred in the years 1866 and 1946 for example. The next outburst could occur in 2024 and become an absolute highlight for us. Let’s wait and see…The astronomical world is definitely calling to watch out for this. Such an observation is quite easily doable for you, as you don’t even need binoculars, because of the star’s brightness.

22.04. Lyrids
During the peak on April 22nd, the meteor shower ‘Lyrids’ offers an impressive number of up to 20 meteors per hour. The best time to observe them is between 10:00pm and 4:00am. However, this year the almost full Moon will interfere. The shower’s source point is located in the constellation of Lyra.

27.04. Moon meets Antares
When you look towards the South in the very early morning hours of April 27th, you will see the constellation of Scorpius rising in the sky. Our Moon will be very close to the bright star Antares today.

May

12.05. Moon meets Pollux
On May 11th and 12th the Moon crosses the constellation of Gemini. The constellation is usually found in the Winter sky and is now noticeably tilting towards the Western horizon. In close proximity to the Moon the bright star Pollux is going to shine brilliantly – a star that is about nine times the size of our Sun.

15.05. Moon meets Regulus
Today the Moon makes contact with the star Regulus in the constellation of Leo. Regulus, known as the “little king”, is the brightest star in this constellation. An interesting fact that we can not notice is that Regulus rotates at a speed of about 317 km/s – so fast that it appears flattened.

19.05. Asteroid Pallas in Opposition
The Asteroid Pallas will be in opposition to the Sun on May 19th. Pallas is one of the largest Asteroids, having a diameter of 510 kilometers. It appears through the telescope as if it were an ordinary star. Therefore we recommend using a star chart. Additionally, it is easier to locate the Asteroid with a GoTo mount.

24.05. Moon meets Antares
Our Moon and the bright star Antares will be visible above the Southeast horizon before midnight. During its ascent in the sky, we can find the full Moon centered in the constellation of Scorpius. Antares shines intensely red and, being a supergiant, has a diameter of 700 times the size of the Sun. If it was placed in the position of our Sun, its sphere would extend beyond the orbit of Mars!

31.05. Moon meets Saturn
Early birds will have the opportunity to observe the meeting of the Moon and Saturn at dusk of May 31st. Assuming a clear sky, this will give us a beautiful start into the day. While beholding the Moon and Saturn you can also discover the planet Mars further to the East.