Actual Astronomy - The Observer’s Calendar for May 2026
Release Date: 05/07/2026
NOIRLab - Strong Hints of Magnetic Fields On Exoplanets
The 365 Days of Astronomy
Using the Gemini North telescope in Hawai‘i and the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope, a team of astronomers measured wind speeds on seven very hot, Jupiter-like exoplanets. The observations revealed that the winds on these planets are most likely governed by magnetic fields, providing the first robust measurement of magnetic activity on planets outside the Solar System. In this podcast, Dr. Hayley Beltz describes how these magnetic fields were discovered from observations using data from the Gemini North telescope in Hawai‘i and the European Southern Observatory’s...
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EVSN - Chasing Chemistry: Missions Measure Comet & Planet Atmospheres
The 365 Days of Astronomy
From June 3, 2026. In this episode, we’re going to look at Psyche’s success at Mars, the cool 3I-ATLAS science coming from Europa Clipper and JUICE en route to the Jupiter system, and we also look at JWST’s efforts to study exoplanetary atmospheres and the weird weather of other worlds. We've added a new way to donate to 365 Days of Astronomy to support editing, hosting, and production costs. Just visit: and donate as much as you can! Share the podcast with your friends and send the Patreon link to them too! Every bit helps! Thank you!...
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Actual Astronomy - Observer’s Calendar for June
The 365 Days of Astronomy
Hosted by Chris Beckett & Shane Ludtke, two amateur astronomers in Saskatchewan who enjoy teaching astronomy classes and showing the public views through their telescopes. This month we talk about the Moon meeting up with the planets and some interesting Lunar Features. We also talk about some of the best deep sky objects to observe at this time of year. I was away then sick so haven't replied to everyone's emails or I’ve been late. We’ll read some on the next show and I’ll go over what I’ve been up to. Perpetual Twilight started for us on May 29th and runs through until July...
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Awesome Astronomy - Psyche, Poet and Astronomy Exams
The 365 Days of Astronomy
Paul Hill and Dr. Jenifer “Dr. Dust” Millard host. Damien Phillips, John Wildridge and Dustin Ruoff produce. It’s the chatty astrowaffle episode! Psyche rushing past Mars, Power instrument at VLT, GCSE Astronomy exams and listener emails. We've added a new way to donate to 365 Days of Astronomy to support editing, hosting, and production costs. Just visit: and donate as much as you can! Share the podcast with your friends and send the Patreon link to them too! Every bit helps! Thank you! ------------------------------------ Do go visit for cool Astronomy Cast...
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Deep Astronomy - Vega: The Second Most Important Star in Our Sky
The 365 Days of Astronomy
Hosted by Tony Darnell. From Sep 7, 2017. Vega, or alpha lyrae, is the brightest star in the constellation Lyra the Harp and it is the fifth brightest star overall in our night sky. It is also the second brightest star in the northern celestial hemisphere. Vega has also been called by astronomers the second most important star in our sky next to the Sun. If you like this content, please consider supporting Deep Astronomy on Patreon! We've added a new way to donate to 365 Days of Astronomy to support editing, hosting, and production costs. Just visit: and donate as...
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Astronomy Cast Ep. 796: Oceans & Organics on Mars
The 365 Days of Astronomy
Hosted by: Fraser Cain () and Dr. Pamela L. Gay () Streamed live on Jun 1, 2026. Mars is cold & dry today, but the evidence is growing that it used to be warmer & wetter. with seas & oceans that covered large parts of its surface. With the additional findings of the chemicals for life, the search for life on Mars is getting pretty interesting! New results from Perseverance and Curiosity describe a past Mars with complex chemistry and water. But did it have life? Background image credit: Kevin Gill This show is supported through people like you on...
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Travelers in the Night Eps. 887 & 888: Apophis Bound & Investigating the Mystery of How Life Formed
The 365 Days of Astronomy
Dr. Al Grauer hosts. Dr. Albert D. Grauer ( ) is an observational asteroid hunting astronomer. Dr. Grauer retired from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 2006. From February 2026. Today's 2 topics: - In April 2029 on one of the luckiest Friday the 13th in human history the 1,500 ft by 500 ft asteroid Apophis will pass within 23,600 miles of the Earth’s surface traveling at some 4.6 mi/s. This is extremely fortunate since an Apophis impact would release the energy of scores of nuclear weapons and cause wide spread devastation. NASA's OSIRIS-APEX will become the companion of the...
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Equatorial Sky Guide - June Episode
The 365 Days of Astronomy
Hosted by our Director, Avivah Yamani. Mercury reaches its best evening appearance of the year, Venus and Jupiter meet in twilight, the Moon visits the planets, and the Milky Way shines brightly over equatorial skies. Join us for a tour of the June 2026 night sky. Clear skies! We've added a new way to donate to 365 Days of Astronomy to support editing, hosting, and production costs. Just visit: and donate as much as you can! Share the podcast with your friends and send the Patreon link to them too! Every bit helps! Thank you! ------------------------------------ Do go visit...
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EVSN - After Hours: Crowdsourcing Innovation with Trisha Epp
The 365 Days of Astronomy
From May 27, 2026. Trisha Epp joins us to talking about NASA's collaboration with Freelancer, and how Innovation is now getting crowdsourced. Join in to learn how to launch your own Moonshot! Guest Trisha Epp is a Physicist, Philosopher, and Futurist with a Masters in Geophysics from CalTech and a duel bachelors in physics and philosphy from the University of British Columbia. Since 2023, she's been the Director of Innovation for 's "NASA Tournament Lab". This crowdsourcing innovative invites the public to help solve global problems ranging from maternal morbidity to risk prediction. ...
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Guide To Space - Lunar Rovers, From Apollo to Artemis
The 365 Days of Astronomy
From Jul 21, 2020. When the Apollo astronauts first landed on the Moon, they couldn’t go far on foot. That’s why the three final missions were equipped with Lunar Roving Vehicles, or Moon buggies, which allowed the astronauts to cover much more ground and do more science. Now that NASA is returning to the Moon by 2024 as part of its Artemis Program, it’s considering a fleet of new vehicles that will help astronauts roam far and wide across the surface of the Moon. 60 fps Apollo Videos from Dutchsteammachine: We've added a new way to donate to 365 Days of...
info_outlineHosted by Chris Beckett & Shane Ludtke, two amateur astronomers in Saskatchewan who enjoy teaching astronomy classes and showing the public views through their telescopes. actualastronomy@gmail.com
Observer’s Calendar for May 2026 on Episode 533 of the Actual Astronomy podcast. I’m Chris and joining me is Shane. We are amateur astronomers who love looking up at the night sky and this podcast is for everyone who enjoys going out under the stars.
— David Nagler Question show reminder.
2 Full Moons!
May 1 - Full Moon — Carbon Star RY Mon best in evening
May 2 - Alpha CVn Colourful Double
May 3 - Antares 0.5-degrees N of Moon
May 4 - Carbon Star X CnC best in evening
May 6 - Eta Aquaria Meteors best in predawn skies but 3/4 Moon interferes
May 7 - Markarian’s Chain well placed
Key Details of Markarian's Chain:
- Location: Situated in the constellation Virgo, between the stars Denebola and Vindemiatrix, part of the larger Virgo Cluster.
- Key Members: The chain is anchored by the large elliptical galaxies M84 and M86. Other notable members include NGC 4477, NGC 4473, NGC 4461, NGC 4458, and NGC 4438.
- Observation: The brightest members are visible in small telescopes, but it is a popular target for astrophotography in the spring, often requiring a wide field of view to capture the entire string.
- Interaction: While some galaxies are randomly aligned, at least seven members share a common physical motion. The pair NGC 4438 and NGC 4435, known as "The Eyes," are actively interacting and distorting one another.
May 8 - 2 Shadows on Jupiter Ganymede & Europa 8:44pm EDT Eastern North America
May 9 - Last Quarter Moon — NGC 4147 well placed
May 10 - Lunar Curtis X visible
May 11 - NGC 4038/4039 well placed
Key Facts About NGC 4038/4039:
- Location: Constellation Corvus, the Crow.
- Distance: Generally estimated between and million light-years.
- Other Names: Caldwell 60/Caldwell 61, the Antennae Galaxies, NGC 4038/4039.
- Discovery: Found by William Herschel in 1785.
- Interaction Type: Colliding/Merging galaxies.
- Appearance: The collision produces long tidal tails of stars, gas, and dust resembling insect antennae
May 12 - Mare Orientale
May 13 - NGC 5634 well placed
May 15 - Ganymede & Europa shadows visible on Jupiter 11:19 pm EDT
May 16 - New Moon but Old crescent in east before Sunrise today.
May 18 - Venus 3-degrees S of Moon
May 19 - Long period star X Oph at max 11:30pm
May 20 - Jupiter 3-degrees S of Moon - Not here
May 22 - Ganymede & Europa shadows visible on Jupiter 11:54 PM EDT WEST Fav.
May 23 - Callisto & Io discs visible on Jupiter 10:15pm
May 25 - Lunar Straight Wall visible also Longomontanus Ray
May 26 - Jewelled Handle
This is a monthly lunar phenomenon occurring around the first quarter moon (approx. 10–11 days after new moon). It appears as a bright, illuminated arc formed by sunlight hitting the peaks of the Montes Jura mountain range, which separates the dark night side from the bright day side, making it look like a handle attached to the moon
May 29 - Asteroid Amphitrite at opposition Mag. 9.5
29 Amphitrite is one of the largest S-type asteroids in the Main Belt, orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter. Discovered on March 1, 1854, by Albert Marth, it was the only asteroid he ever found and is named after the Greek sea goddess Amphitrite, wife of Poseidon.
May 30 - Asteroid Lutetia at Opposition Mag. 9.8
21 Lutetia is a large, irregularly shaped asteroid in the main asteroid belt, measuring approximately 120 kilometers along its longest axis. It is highly significant to astronomers as a "survivor" or planetesimal from the early formation of the Solar System, roughly 4.5 billion years ago.
May 31 - 2nd Full Moon for May
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