Each Monday, I pick out North America’s celestial highlights for the week ahead (which also apply to mid-northern latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere). Check my main feed for more in-depth articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses and more.
The Night Sky This Week: May 19-25, 2025
As the moon continues to wane from being full last week, the night skies darken enough to find faint stars and constellations. The Milky Way’s luminous core returns before sunrise — as do a couple of planets, which the crescent moon will spectacularly pass. Here’s everything you need to know about the night sky this week.
Tuesday, May 20: Last Quarter Moon
Stellarium
Tuesday, May 20: Last Quarter Moon
The moon reaches its last quarter phase today, rising around midnight and setting around midday — the perfect time to see the moon in the morning. Though often overshadowed by full or new moons, this phase is a great time to point a telescope at the day-night line (what moon watchers call “the terminator”) for mountains and craters throwing shadows.
Thursday, May 22: Moon Meets Saturn
Stellarium
Thursday, May 22: Moon Meets Saturn
About 45 minutes before sunrise, look low in the eastern sky for a lovely celestial scene: a 30%-lit waning crescent moon appearing just three degrees from the ringed planet, Saturn. Venus will glow near the horizon below them. This scene will be best viewed from a location with an unobstructed eastern view, such as a high floor of a rooftop.
Friday, May 23: Moon Meets Venus
Stellarium
Friday, May 23: Moon Meets Venus
This morning, the crescent moon (just 20%-lit) appears about four degrees from brilliant Venus, with Saturn now to the upper right. Look for “Earthshine” — that glow on the moon’s dark side caused by sunlight reflected from Earth’s surface. It’s a soft and subtle light best seen through binoculars.
Saturday, May 24: Planet Panorama
Saturday, May 24: Planet Parade
This is your last chance to catch the moon before disappearing into the sun’s glare and becoming new. Only 11%-lit, it will be very low on the eastern horizon 45 minutes before sunrise, positioned just to the left of Venus. At this slender illumination, it’s known as the “old moon in the new moon’s arms.” It forms part of a lovely panorama across the dawn sky — Saturn above, then Venus, then the moon hugging the horizon.
The constellation Corvus in night sky.
getty
Constellation of the Week: Corvus ‘The Crow’
It doesn’t look like a crow, and almost nobody ever talks about it, but Corvus “The Crow” is an official constellation that is really easy to find. Use the curve of the Big Dipper’s handle to go “arc to Arcturus,” then from Arcturus, go “spike to Spica.” That star-hop takes you to Corus, too, which this week is just to the right of Spica.
The times and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes. For the most accurate location-specific information, consult online planetariums like Stellarium.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
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