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May 12: A new view of the Moon
Bright Venus stands proudly between the horns of Taurus the Bull after sunset tonight, forming a nearly straight line with the stars marking the tips of the horns. Visible in the west within an hour or two of sunset, Venus will stand out first — it’s magnitude –3.9 and unmistakable. To Venus’ upper right is Elnath (Beta [β] Tauri), shining at magnitude 1.7. To Venus’ lower left is fainter Zeta (ζ) Tau, glowing at magnitude 3.0.
The trio sets around 10:30 P.M. local daylight time, so there’s plenty of time to enjoy the view.
Sunrise: 5:47 A.M.
Sunset: 8:07 P.M.
Moonrise: 3:36 A.M.
Moonset: 4:40 P.M.
Moon Phase: Waning crescent (11%)
*Times for sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset are given in local time from 40° N 90° W. The Moon’s illumination is given at 10 P.M. local time from the same location.
On May 14, the Moon will guide the way to Mars in the early-morning sky; the Red Planet stands just 7° from the delicate crescent Moon, visible shortly before the Sun rises.
Try looking east about an hour before sunrise. You’ll have the best luck if your horizon is clear, and particularly if you can get to an observing spot higher than your surroundings. Mars remains low, just over 1° high an hour before sunrise, and it’s only magnitude 1.3, adding to the challenge. However, binoculars or any small scope should show it, hanging 7° to the lower left (east) of the 9-percent-lit lunar crescent. They’ll rise higher as time passes, although of course the sky is also growing brighter as sunrise approaches. The Moon will pass 5° due north of Mars at 9 P.M. EDT. (Make sure to stop using any optics several minutes before sunrise from your location.)
