1.

η-Aquariid meteor shower 2026 The η-Aquariid meteor shower reaches its peak. Wed, 06 May 2026 (5 days ago) in Aquarius

2.

Lunar occultation of Sigma Sagittarii The Moon will pass in front of Sigma Sagittarii (Nunki), creating a lunar occultation visible from Antarctica, French Southern Territories, Heard Island and McDonald Islands and Bouvet Island. Wed, 06 May 2026 at 16:56 EDT (5 days ago) in Sagittarius

3.

η-Lyrid meteor shower 2026 The η-Lyrid meteor shower reaches its peak. Fri, 08 May 2026 (3 days ago) in Lyra

4.

Moon at Last Quarter The Moon reaches last quarter phase – rising in the east at around midnight and appearing high in the sky by sunrise. Sat, 09 May 2026 at 17:11 EDT (2 days ago) in Capricornus

5.

Messier 5 is well placed The globular cluster M5 (NGC 5904; mag 5.7) in Serpens culminates at around midnight local time. Tue, 12 May 2026 (Tomorrow) in Serpens Caput

6.

Close approach of the Moon and Saturn The Moon and Saturn pass close to each other. Wed, 13 May 2026 at 13:32 EDT (2 days away) in Cetus

7.

Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn The Moon and Saturn share the same right ascension, at a separation of 5°41'. Wed, 13 May 2026 at 17:58 EDT (2 days away) in Cetus

8.

Mercury at superior solar conjunction Mercury passes around the far side of the Sun. Thu, 14 May 2026 at 10:30 EDT (3 days away) in Aries

9.

Conjunction of the Moon and Mars The Moon and Mars share the same right ascension, at a separation of 5°09'. Thu, 14 May 2026 at 20:45 EDT (3 days away) in Pisces

10.

The Moon at perihelion The Moon passes its closest point to the Sun, a monthly occurrence around the time of new moon. Thu, 14 May 2026 at 21:06 EDT (3 days away) in Pisces

11.

1 Ceres at solar conjunction 1 Ceres is unobservable as it passes around the far side of the Sun – marking the end of one apparition and the beginning of the next. Thu, 14 May 2026 at 22:31 EDT (3 days away) in Taurus

12.

Venus at perihelion Venus passes its closest point to the Sun. Thu, 14 May 2026 at 23:01 EDT (3 days away) in Taurus

13.

New Moon The Moon disappears into the Sun's glare for a few days. Sat, 16 May 2026 at 16:02 EDT (5 days away) in Aries

14.

The Moon at perigee The Moon makes its monthly closest approach to the Earth, appearing larger than at other times of the month – though only very fractionally. Sun, 17 May 2026 at 09:43 EDT (6 days away) in Taurus

15.

Mercury at perihelion Mercury passes its closest point to the Sun. Mon, 18 May 2026 at 06:27 EDT (7 days away) in Taurus

16.

Lunar occultation of Beta Tauri The Moon will pass in front of Beta Tauri (Elnath), creating a lunar occultation visible from countries and territories including Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania and Zimbabwe amongst others. Mon, 18 May 2026 at 10:31 EDT (7 days away) in Taurus

17.

Conjunction of the Moon and Venus The Moon and Venus share the same right ascension, at a separation of 2°56'. Mon, 18 May 2026 at 21:50 EDT (7 days away) in Taurus

18.

Close approach of the Moon and Venus The Moon and Venus pass close to each other. Mon, 18 May 2026 at 22:03 EDT (7 days away) in Taurus

19.

Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter The Moon and Jupiter share the same right ascension, at a separation of 3°05'. Wed, 20 May 2026 at 08:37 EDT (9 days away) in Gemini

20.

Close approach of the Moon and Jupiter The Moon and Jupiter pass close to each other. Wed, 20 May 2026 at 09:46 EDT (9 days away) in Gemini