May heralds the real amateur astronomer's good viewing season. From May until October and, maybe a bit of November, amateurs will have some of the best viewing that can be seen in these southern environs.
As an example, the Realm of the Galaxies becomes easy to see in the night sky, and if one has a good telescope of at least 8 inches, preferably 10-or-12 inches, about 50 of the brightest galaxies outside the Milky Way can be seen. In fact, the so-called Realm of the Galaxies is really the Coma-Virgo cluster, containing some 4,500 members and lying, on average, about 50 million light years distant. The whole group trails the constellation Leo the Lion for about 3 degrees of sky at its densest. One has only to pass one's telescope across this area, using low power, to see some of these 'faint fuzzies.' Don't be disappointed if all you can see are whispy patches of light. These objects are faint -- they are an enormous distance from us.
Very much closer to home, the little planet Mercury will transit the Sun on May 9. For those of us in Arkansas, the event will begin at about 6:12 a.m. The Sun will not be quite up yet so the transit will be visible only after sunrise. If you plan on viewing it, DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN! You must use a special solar filter or you could permanently damage your sight or even blind yourself. I am sure there will be internet images to be seen after the transit and this would be the safest way to see it if you don't have the right equipment. If conditions are good, I might be photographing this event. If I get a good image, I will share it with you. Now and again, our sight line on Earth, Mercury, and the Sun line up in such a way that we can see Mercury cross in front of the Sun. It is simply a case of orbital mechanics for the solar system and has happened very many times before.
Again, closer to home, the planet Mars becomes bright and reasonably large from our perspective. Mars will pass closer to Earth than it has in a decade. This means that its apparent size grows bigger in May and Mars will become an object of interest to many an amateur. About May 30, Mars will be at its very closest but seeing it well will be possible before this date and into June. There are many amateur astronomers who specialize in Mars and they will be trying to get a good image of this planet. (They have been hungry for a long time!) Imaging the planets in our solar system is probably the greatest challenge for any astrophotographer. Unfortunately, the equipment for getting good images of the planets, and, especially Mars, is expensive. Even with good equipment though, atmospheric conditions must be just right in our atmosphere and all the expensive equipment must work in sequence just right. For me, the fun-to-effort ratio is too low and I don't do it. Certainly I will be out with my 10-inch 'scope, at least trying to see it visually.
Jupiter is still the brightest object in the night sky other than the Moon. It can be well seen for all of May. Look for it overhead, shining with a slight yellowish tint and not twinkling. Good and steadily held binoculars may reveal some of its little moons.
Before dawn on May 5 and 6, The Eta Aquariids meteor show may show many fast and faint meteors. There will be no interfering Moon to lighten the sky, so, if you happen to be up and out under the sky when it is still dark before dawn, look low in the east-southeast and you might get lucky.
Now it really begins -- the best average night skies all year long!
-- Dr. David Cater is a former faculty member of JBU. Email him at [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
Community on 05/04/2016