Stargazing in Utah: Zion's Dark Skies in May

Whether you are interested in astrophotography, exploring the galaxy or finding the darkest skies in Utah for stargazing, we welcome May with some interesting notes! The European Space Agency’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer mission, JUICE, has made a successful launch. It will now embark on an 8 year journey, traveling to our solar system’s biggest planet, and revealing information on Jupiter’s many icy moons.

Spring in the northern hemisphere is known by many as the ‘galaxy season’. Many of the best galaxies in our night sky are located in the constellation Virgo, our harvest queen, which is rising with the coming of spring and ready to show off all her treasures. Below is the Sombrero galaxy (left) and the Whirlpool galaxy (right), two of the most famous galaxies in our skies. They are wonderful examples of edge-on and face-on viewing perspectives.

Image Credit: Stargazing Zion

We welcome the new month with a beautiful full moon on May 5th, the Flower moon, named for the spring blooms that are beginning to pop up throughout the Northern Hemisphere. May 5th also brings the peak of the Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower. These meteors are produced as Earth passes through the leftover trail of Halley’s Comet. As the name suggests, the meteors will radiate from the constellation Aquarius, however they will be observable throughout the sky. The best time to catch these ‘shooting stars’ is just after midnight, at a rate of around 30 meteors/hour.

Image Credit: SkySafari - Looking south on May 1st

Venus continues as our bright evening ‘star’ this month, the brightest object visible in the western sky shortly after sunset. As the month wears on, it slowly moves out of Taurus and into Gemini, getting closer and closer to our red planet Mars. This month we see Mars finish its journey through Gemini, reaching the constellation of cancer by May’s end.

Image Credit: SkySafari - Looking south on May 15th

In the beginning of the month, Mercury is just to the east of the sun, barely visible during sunset. By the end of the month, Mercury has made its way around the sun and will appear as a morning object, just before sunrise. It is at its greatest elongation from the sun, or farthest distance as observed from Earth, on May 29th. Look for it at the end of the month by Jupiter, also a morning object at this time of year, rising just before the sun in the constellation Pisces. Also in the morning, rising a couple hours before the sun in the constellation Aquarius, is Saturn.

Image Credit: SkySafari - Looking south on May 31st

By month’s end, Orion has made his final stand for the season, being lost into the glare of the sun. The winter triangle and cold weather goes with it. Look high in the southern sky for the spring triangle and the constellation Virgo, our harvest queen.

Winter Triangle: Image Credit - AstroBackyard

Spring Triangle: Image Credit - Space.com

Experience Astrotourism in Utah: Stargazing in Utah

For those passionate about astrotourism and stargazing in Utah, Zion National Park is a must-visit destination. The park’s remote location and protected skies make it an ideal place for stargazing in Utah, drawing visitors from around the world to experience the wonders of the cosmos. Whether you’re planning a stargazing adventure in Zion, seeking the best places for astrophotography, or looking to enhance your experience with a guided stargazing tour in Zion, there’s no better place to immerse yourself in the night sky. Explore the beauty of the Milky Way, witness meteor showers, and discover planets through high-powered telescopes. Make your visit truly unforgettable by booking a stargazing tour with Stargazing Zion—where expert guides bring the universe to life!