Venus has always sparked curiosity

The continuing reliable pattern of constellations and the predictable visibility of those wandering stars we call planets bring joy to many sky watchers. No one who has ever looked up and noticed the really bright wandering star we now know is Venus has been able to ignore the sight.

This brilliantly gleaming planet will remain in the western sky until the early morning for the rest of May. Venus will be passing from between the horns of Taurus the Bull into the region around Gemini. The planet’s magnitude of -4.1 will continue to brighten throughout the month. It will definitely be noticeable as it moves nearer the star Pollux in Gemini by May 31.

Mars is due south of Pollux. Less bright than Pollux, the red planet will be drifting into the constellation Cancer by mid-month, near the Beehive Cluster (Messier Object 44). Mars will be visible until just past midnight this month. Venus and Mars will appear to be closer each night as their orbits are on either side of Earth.

This month the Eta Aquariid meteor shower will be putting on a display, peaking on May 6. The nearly full moon will severely limit any viewing of meteors streaking across the sky. This shower is associated with Halley’s Comet because it consists of leftover debris from this regular visitor to our solar system. Halley is also responsible for the October Orionid meteor shower.

This week our moon is waxing, with the full moon on Friday, May 5. Of course, that limits stargazing, but the moon is always something special to observe. When it is full, a filter is needed on optical aids because the glare of the reflected sunlight is so intense. Best time for moon watching via telescope or binoculars is when it is a waxing or waning crescent, through the first and last quarters. The craters along the terminator point between the darkness and the brilliant illumination from the sun make for spectacular views.

Constellations to enjoy on a clear night when looking south, include Centaurus the Centaur, Corvus the Crow, Virgo the Maiden, and Libra, the Scales (as in weighing in judgement, not fish or dragons), and following Libra, the Scorpion, Scorpius.

In the east, rising after dark, look for Ophiuchus, the Physician, holding the serpent which he has chopped in two and Hercules, resembling a frog in the dissecting tray instead of a hero of Greek mythology.

Sinking into the west, as Earth rotates from west to east ad infinitim, are Gemini, the Twins, and Cancer the Crab, along with Venus and Mars.

This gives a stargazer multiple options to seek and add to their catalog of “captures”-much as a dedicated birdwatcher does.

If you have never thought of keeping a record of what you have observed, you might consider doing that. There were thousands of ancient astronomers who did, and we enjoy their work today. The ancients painted on the walls of caves, sides of cliffs, on stone walls, on parchment, bark, and silk, as well as paper. Many of these are viewable on the internet, including pages from Galileo’s observations of the Galilean moons of Jupiter. Check it out and be prepared to be amazed.

Until next time, KLU.