# Actual Astronomy - The Observer's Calendar for May 2026

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-365-days-of-astronomy-500745/actual-astronomy-the-observer-s-calendar-for-may-2026
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-365-days-of-astronomy-500745/actual-astronomy-the-observer-s-calendar-for-may-2026.md
Podcast: [The 365 Days of Astronomy](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-365-days-of-astronomy-500745)
Published: 2026-05-07T11:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/astro365/20260507-365DoA.mp3
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/astro365/20260507-365DoA.mp3?dest-id=4378
Processing state: processed
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-365-days-of-astronomy-500745/episodes/actual-astronomy-the-observer-s-calendar-for-may-2026
Duration seconds: 1854

## Resource

Hosted by Chris Beckett & Shane Ludtke , two amateur astronomers in Saskatchewan who enjoy teaching astronomy classes and showing the public views through their telescopes. actualastronomy@gmail.com Observer's Calendar for May 2026 on Episode 533 of the Actual Astronomy podcast. I'm Chris and joining me is Shane. We are amateur astronomers who love looking up at the night sky and this podcast is for everyone who enjoys going out under the stars. — David Nagler Question show reminder. 2 Full Moons! May 1 - Full Moon — Carbon Star RY Mon best in evening May 2 - Alpha CVn Colourful Double May 3 - Antares 0.5-degrees N of Moon May 4 - Carbon Star X CnC best in evening May 6 - Eta Aquaria Meteors best in predawn skies but 3/4 Moon interferes May 7 - Markarian's Chain well placed Key Details of Markarian's Chain: Location: Situated in the constellation Virgo, between the stars Denebola and Vindemiatrix, part of the larger Virgo Cluster. Key Members: The chain is anchored by the large elliptical galaxies M84 and M86. Other notable members include NGC 4477, NGC 4473, NGC 4461, NGC 4458, and NGC 4438. Observation: The brightest members are visible in small telescopes, but it is a popular target for astrophotography in the spring, often requiring a wide field of view to capture the entire string. Interaction: While some galaxies are randomly aligned, at least seven members share a common physical motion. The pair NGC 4438 and NGC 4435, known as "The Eyes," are actively interacting and distorting one another. May 8 - 2 Shadows on Jupiter Ganymede & Europa 8:44pm EDT Eastern North America May 9 - Last Quarter Moon — NGC 4147 well placed May 10 - Lunar Curtis X visible May 11 - NGC 4038/4039 well placed Key Facts About NGC 4038/4039: Location: Constellation Corvus, the Crow. Distan…

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