THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
The constellation of Corvus reveals its deep-sky treasures and the comet Pons–Brooks drops by
When to use this chart
1 May at 00:00 AEDT (30 Apr, 14:00 UT) The chart accurately matches the sky on the
dates and times shown for Sydney, Australia. 15 May at 23:00 AEST (13:00 UT)
The sky is different at other times as the stars 31 May at 22:00 AEST (12:00 UT) crossing it set four minutes earlier each night.
MAY HIGHLIGHTS
Periodic comet 12P/Pons–Brooks orbits the Sun every 71 years, having a favourable return in 2024. After reaching perihelion on 21 April, it opens May around mag. +4.5, close to the western horizon as twilight ends. The comet can be found below Rigel (Beta Orionis) early in the month, rising slowly and passing within 5° of the star on 17–23 May. If a tail is visible, it should point towards Rigel in early May. The month closes with Pons–Brooks in Lepus, possibly faded to mag. +6.0.
THE PLANETS
Evenings contain no planets in May. Saturn rises around 01:30 mid-month, followed by Neptune an hour later, Mars at 03:30 and finally Mercury around 05:00. The eastern pre-dawn sky finds Saturn, Mars and Mercury in a line, with the waning
STARS AND CONSTELLATIONS
The Milky Way’s most southerly region is brilliantly displayed in May. The closest obvious asterism to the South Celestial Pole is the trapezium in Musca, beneath (south of) the Southern Cross (Crux). Flanking it are two rivals to this claim: Triangulum Australe to the left (east) and the Diamond Cross (part of Carina) to the right (west). Within these are the closest second-magnitude stars to the pole: Atria (Alpha Triangulum Australe) and Miaplacidus (Beta Carinae). crescent Moon in conjunction with each on 4, 5 and 6 May respectively. The month commences with Mars and Neptune only 1° apart then swiftly separating. Early May sees the best morning return for Mercury this year, rising one hour before dawn.