Stargazing Guide: Constellations in the May and June 2025 Night Sky,

/ stanholtzleiter6724

As spring turns to summer, the night sky offers a shifting tapestry of constellations and celestial events. May and June 2025 present a rich opportunity for stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere, with classic constellations, planetary visits, and special phenomena like meteor showers and a predicted nova. Here’s your guide to what to look for, when to look, and how to make the most of your nights under the stars.

May 2025: What to See and When

Cancer

  • Best time to view: Early May, after sunset and before midnight, in the western sky.
  • Highlights: Mars passes through Cancer, coming close to the Beehive Cluster (M44), a beautiful open cluster visible with binoculars or a small telescope.
  • Viewing tip: Use binoculars to spot the Beehive Cluster, especially when Mars is nearby for a striking pairing.

Leo

  • Best time to view: All month, high in the southwest after dusk.
  • Highlights: Mars moves into Leo in late May, near the bright star Regulus.
  • Viewing tip: Naked eye is sufficient for the main stars; a telescope will reveal double stars and galaxies like M65 and M66.

Gemini

  • Best time to view: Early evenings in May, low in the western sky.
  • Highlights: The twin stars Castor and Pollux are easy to spot.
  • Viewing tip: Naked eye for the constellation; binoculars for open clusters.

Corona Borealis

  • Best time to view: Late evenings, rising in the east.
  • Highlights: Site of the anticipated T Coronae Borealis nova, expected to flare up and become visible to the naked eye for a few days in May or June.
  • Viewing tip: Use a star chart or astronomy app to pinpoint the constellation and watch for the nova event.

Coma Berenices

  • Best time to view: Evenings in May, high in the east.
  • Highlights: Home to a loose star cluster visible with binoculars.

Ursa Major & Ursa Minor

  • Best time to view: All night, high in the northern sky.
  • Highlights: The Big Dipper (part of Ursa Major) and the Little Dipper (Ursa Minor) are prominent and useful for orientation.
  • Viewing tip: Naked eye; use the Big Dipper’s “pointer” stars to locate Polaris, the North Star.

June 2025: What to See and When

Boötes

  • Best time to view: Evenings and all night, high in the sky.
  • Highlights: Contains Arcturus, one of the brightest stars in the night sky.
  • Viewing tip: Naked eye for the constellation; binoculars for double stars.

Ursa Minor

  • Best time to view: All night, due north.
  • Highlights: Polaris, the North Star, marks the end of the Little Dipper’s handle.
  • Viewing tip: Naked eye; use as a reference point for finding other constellations.

Libra

  • Best time to view: Late evenings, low in the southern sky.
  • Highlights: Appears above the southern horizon for northern observers.
  • Viewing tip: Naked eye for the main stars; telescope for double stars.

Lupus

  • Best time to view: Late June, low in the south.
  • Highlights: Near Libra, contains several deep-sky objects.
  • Viewing tip: Binoculars or telescope required due to low altitude.

Ursa Major

  • Best time to view: All night, northern sky.
  • Highlights: Remains a key landmark for orientation and navigation.

Special Events and Objects (May–June 2025)

  • Mars & the Beehive Cluster (M44): Mars passes close to M44 in early May, creating a beautiful binocular sight.
  • T Coronae Borealis Nova: Predicted to erupt and become visible to the naked eye for a few days in May or June, a rare event not to be missed.
  • Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower: Peaks in early May, best viewed before dawn from a dark location.
  • Comet SWAN: May be visible in early May, near the Pleiades; binoculars recommended.

Best Practices for Stargazing

  • Find a dark site: Get away from city lights for the clearest views.
  • Use the right equipment:
    • Naked eye for major constellations and bright stars.
    • Binoculars for star clusters, bright comets, and special pairings.
    • Telescope for deep-sky objects and detailed planetary views.
  • Check the weather and moon phase: Clear, moonless nights are best.
  • Let your eyes adjust: Wait 20–30 minutes in the dark for optimal night vision.
  • Use star maps or astronomy apps: Tools like Stellarium or SkySafari can help you locate constellations and track events in real time.
  • Best times:
    • May: Start observing after sunset for western constellations; late evening for those rising in the east.
    • June: Wait until at least 11:30 p.m. for the sky to be fully dark, especially at higher latitudes.

References and Footnotes

  1. Stargazing in May 2025: What to See in the Night Sky
  2. Night Sky Guide: May and June 2025
  3. T Coronae Borealis Nova Prediction

Images

May Sky Map
![May 2025 Night Sky Map](https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/May-2025-night Map**
![June 2025 Night Sky Map](https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/June-2025-night the Beehive Cluster**
![Mars near the Beehive Cluster](https://earthsky.org/upl/2021/06/mars-beehive-cluster-m44-June-2021-e1623151521205.jpg sky maps and event timings are based on Northern Hemisphere mid-latitude observations.

  • For southern observers, some constellations may appear lower or higher in the sky or at different times.
  • The timing of the T Coronae Borealis nova is a prediction and may vary by days or weeks.

Enjoy your nights under the stars, and don’t forget to look up-you never know what wonders you might see!

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