May / June has celestial and lunar events to watch for. Mark your calendars and get ready to watch a different type of entertainment.
Spring is the time to get back outdoors. The sun is coming out, the days are longer and with a blanket, you can spend your nights gazing up at the stars. Escape to the memories of you as a kid watching the skies and wondering what you will see.
Stars Falling from the Sky
During the end of April and beginning of May, a meteor shower created by debris from Halley’s Comet causes the spring sky to light up. The peak time to observe this shower is Friday, May 6th at 3:35am. This meteor shower is named after the most brilliant star in the constellation it appears to emerge from. In May, this constellation is Aquarius which is why this meteor shower is named “Eta Aquarid”. If it is a clear sky, you should be able to see this brilliant show.
Eclipses all else
If you are ready for a total eclipse of the heart…I mean a lunar eclipse? Get out your blankets and set a reminder for May 16th. A total lunar eclipse is when the Earth is between the sun and the moon creating a shadow on the moon making it appear reddish in color. There are different phases of the eclipse. Here is what you need to know, the eclipse will begin on May 15th at 9:32pm and continue until May 16th at 3:00am. The FULL ECLIPSE will be at its maximum at 12:11:28am when the shadow is most dense and covers the entire diameter of the Earth. Get that Bonnie Tyler rocking and enjoy the show.
I see a moon arising
May 16th brings the Flower Moon (May’s full moon) and June 14th brings the Strawberry Moon which is June’s full moon. June’s Strawberry Moon is ALSO a Super Strawberry Moon in 2022 (Daiquiris are calling). What is a Super Moon? This Super Strawberry Moon not only signals the ripening of the strawberry crops but it’s also it is when the moon is closest to the Earth and it appears larger in the sky but sadly, it will not appear as a big strawberry.
The Longest Day
Want to know the exact date of the June Summer Solstice which is also the longest day of the year? June 21st is a constant from year to year signifying the day with the MOST time of daylight. Finally, the best day for star gazing is when the Micromoon makes an appearance on June 29th. This is the night of the year when there is a moonlight free night!
Enjoy whatever comes up in the skys!
