Mars can be seen for a few hours in the western sky after sunset moving through the constellation Gemini (the Twins) and into Cancer (the Crab) by the end of May. Mars isn’t very bright this month as it moves farther away from Earth. Mars moves 9 degrees away from Saturn. Mars looks like an orange-colored star.

Saturn can be seen in the western sky at sunset in the constellation Cancer (the Crab), located just 2 degrees west of the Beehive Cluster. Saturn appears extremely bright this month and is in a good position to view the rings. Saturn sets in the west around midnight. Saturn looks like a very bright amber-colored star.

Jupiter can be seen rising in the southeastern sky at sunset in the constellation Libra (the Scales). Jupiter is in retrograde motion, moving westward among the background of stars. Jupiter reaches opposition (opposite the sun in our sky) on May 4th. As a result, Jupiter can be seen from sunset to sunrise. Jupiter is very bright and looks like a yellow-colored star.

Venus can be seen before dawn shining brightly as the “Morning Star” in the eastern sky passing through the constellation Pisces (the Fishes). Venus is moving closer to the sun throughout the month, so it rises later every morning and stays close to the horizon. Venus is the brightest object in the night sky except for the moon. Venus will return to the western sky after sunset this summer. Venus looks like a very bright white star.

Mercury can barely be seen in the eastern predawn sky in the constellation Pisces (the Fishes) in the first few days of May. Mercury disappears from our view as it passes behind the sun midmonth. It reappears in the western sky after sunset in the constellation Taurus (the Bull) at the end of May. Mercury looks like a small white star.