What’s in the Sky in May

Image: Looking East, 6th May 04:00hrs AEST

May

• 6-7th Eta Aquarid Meteor shower peaks on the afternoon of the 6th at 13:00hrs AEST,  ~50 meteors /hour, travelling at 65.9km/sec.  This meteor shower is active from April 29th – May 28th and is visible as the Earth is passing through the debris left by Comet Halley as it orbits the Sun every 76 years. Start looking on the 6th from 4.00 am and come out again on the 7th same time, either side of the peak. Recent peak ZHRs were ~2008 -85, 2009-70, 2017-75, 2018-60, 2019-50, 2020-55 (preliminary), this might indicate rather a trend to lower ZHRs, but observations are needed to find out whether this is the case, or if the rates change in another way. The radiant (point from which they appear to come from) is just below and to the West of Jupiter. Rug up well with a thermos nearby to keep warm.
• 12th Moon at Apogee, furthest from Earth for the month, 7:54hrs AEST, 406,509.8km.
• 26th Moon at Perigee 11:49hrs AEST, 357,311.7 km. The Moon will be the closest for some time and if clear, a magnificent sight in the evening. A Total Eclipse of the Moon – Viewing at the Observatory will begin from 19:00hrs AEST.
• Ballarat Local Time for Eclipse

  Penumbra entered 26 May 2021 18:47 AEST
  Umbra entered 26 May 2021 19:44 AEST
  Totality begins 26 May 2021 21:06 AEST
  Totality ends 26 May 2021 21:31 AEST
  Umbra left 26 May 2021 22:54 AEST
  Penumbra left 26 May 2021 23:51 AEST