📝 Steven Burr
The Moon
On the 1st of the month, the full Flower Moon arrives. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the name Flower Moon refers to the appearance of flowers during this month and has its origins from the Algonquin and Ojibwe peoples. Other names include Budding Moon (Cree), and Planting Moon (Dakota, Lakota). The last quarter Moon arrives on the 9th followed by the new Moon on the 16th. Early in the evening of the 19th, Venus is 3° south of the moon which should make the planet easier to spot. On the 23rd, the 3rd quarter moon followed by another full moon on the 31st.
The Planets
Venus continues to rise on the western horizon just after sunset and becomes more prominent in the evening sky. Mars begins to emerge in the morning twilight as the month progresses. Jupiter’s decreasing elongation from the sun means it is becoming an evening only object in the sky. Saturn remains hidden in the morning twilight.
Eta Aquarids
Although the Eta Aquariids are visible from April 15th to May 27th, the best time to enjoy this celestial display is May 5th just before dawn. Look to the southeastern horizon to spot Aquarius the radiant point of this meteor shower. Please note, there will be a waning gibbous moon after midnight impeding our view. The Eta Aquariids owes its origins to the debris left by Halley’s Comet.
Constellation Leo
Leo Major and Leo Minor - Urania's Mirror 1825
Latin for lion, Leo is easily recognized with its backward question mark shaped head and triangular shaped hind. According to Greek mythology, Zeus place the lion in the sky because it was the King of beasts. However, this constellation is older than the Greeks owing its origins to the Babylonians. They attributed the following to the Lion: Killer of man and livestock and thus symbolizes destruction and carnage of war, the lion represents the king & royalty, and seasonally, the power of the sun at its summer peak resulting in death and drought. The brightest star in the constellation is Regulus, Latin for prince or king, it is actually a quadruple star system even though it appears as one to us. Within Leo, we have the deep sky object the Leo Triplet, a group of interacting spiral galaxies.
Leo Triplet - Clayton Patterson
South Bay Under the Stars!
This May, the South Shore hosts South Bay Under the Stars, Prince Edward County’s first star party of the year. Starting on Friday 15th May and running through to Sunday 17th May, camp under the rural dark sky or just come for an evening. What is a Star Party? It is a gathering of amateur astronomers and enthusiasts who meet to observe, photograph, and learn about the night sky. Members of RASC Belleville and Kingston will be on hand to assist you if you are new to observing the night sky. Do you own a telescope and are not sure how to use it? This is the weekend to come out to learn and dive deep into the universe. Registration available at https://rascbelleville.ca/. See you under the Stars!
Make sure to follow our events page for all upcoming Astro Talks here.
Learn more about Dark Sky Project here.
References:
2026 Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower [online]. EarthSky, [cited 3 January 2026]. Available from: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/everything-you-need-to-know-eta-aquarid-meteor-shower/
2026 Lyrid Meteor Shower [online], EarthSky, [cited 3 January 2026]. Available from: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/everything-you-need-to-know-lyrid-meteor-shower/
Boeckmann, Catherine, Full Moon Names 2026 [online]. Almanac, updated 31 December 2025 [cited 3 January 2026]. Available from: https://www.almanac.com/full-moon-names
Edgar, James S. ed., RASC Observer’s Handbook 2026, ed. by James S. Edgar (Toronto: Marquis Book Printing, 2025)
Hard, Robin, Eratosthenes & Hyginus: Constellation Myths (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015)
Mortillaro, Nicole, Night Sky Guide 2026 (Richmond Hill: Firefly Books, 2025)
White, Gavin, Babylonian Star-Lore: An Illustrated Guide to the Star-Lore & Constellations of Ancient Babylonia (London: Solaria Publications, 2014)
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