As most fans know, the fourth day in May became Star Wars Day because of the turn of phrase, "May the force be with you," used by Jedi masters in the movies. The classic slogan was originally flip-flopped in 1978 to greet others on the Fourth of July, according to Lucasfilm.
The next year, May 4 became the fandom's unofficial holiday after Margaret Thatcher won the election to become Britain's first female prime minister. To celebrate her victory, her party took up a half-page advertisement in the May 4, 1979, issue of The London Evening News that read, "May the Fourth Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations!"
May is a notable month for the popular franchise. The original Star Wars premiered on May 25, 1977, and its creator, George Lucas, celebrates his birthday on May 14.
MERCURY - will be low in the eastern morning sky, barely rising before the Sun, but will be a tough target to see as it moves across our sky during daytime hours.
VENUS - once again in our morning sky so bright! Venus teams up with the Moon & Saturn to form a nice ‘arc’ in the ESE sky before dawn on May 22nd. On the 31st, it will be at its greatest western elongation in the eastern sky before sunrise. (Greatest eastern elongation is when a planet sets after the Sun sets).
EARTH - Happy Mother’s Day on May 11th!
MARS - is still close to the Beehive Cluster (M44) this month in the early evening. It is so close to the cluster that it may appear to be part of the cluster but will show nicely; however, to enjoy a good view of the cluster you should have dark, clear skies. On the 3rd, the red planet and the Moon are very close together. Look for them about 8:30 PM CDT high in the SW sky. Mars is the closest planet to the Moon this month.
JUPITER - lies in the constellation Taurus the Bull with its best viewing early in the month. It does set early in the evening, about 9-11 PM CDT, then it will be gone from view for a while as it heads for the far side of the Sun. On the 4th, you may have an opportunity to see the shadow of its moon ‘Io’ as it makes a transit across the planet.
SATURN - now visible in the dawn skies, rising about 2 hours before sunrise. On the 1st, our ringed planet will be next to Venus in the early morning ESE sky. May 6th is Saturn’s equinox with the Sun shining exactly edge-on to the rings, as the rings move through their 15-year cycle. On the 22nd, Saturn pairs with the Moon & Venus in the early morning sky, just before sunrise and it may be possible to see blue Neptune to the left of Saturn.
URANUS - remains out of view due to its conjunction with the Sun on the 17th, as it passes the far side of the Sun.
NEPTUNE - by month end it will be near Saturn and may be seen with binoculars
May’s Moon is known as the ‘Flower Moon” for the time of year when spring flowers appear in abundance. Also known as the “Corn Planting Moon”.
On May 9th--10th, the Moon and the bright star Spica, in the constellation Virgo, will be side-by-side in the WSW night sky with our best viewing well after midnight. If you are so inclined to stay up late or get up early, take a look at this pairing.
Eta Aquarids MS – is an annual meteor shower
C/2022 E2(ATLAS) has brightened but is expected to peak for better viewing opportunities in the fall.
Every specialty has a specific jargon to describe unique conditions in the field; Astronomy is no different. This month’s words are about distance. For measuring within our solar system we use astronomical unit. To describe distances outside of the solar system we use different terms like lightyear and parsec.