Home
Weather Dublin
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
    Home / Editor's Pick /

    May astro outlook: Fresh meteor shower and a lunar eclipse!

15:00
2 May 2023

May astro outlook
Fresh meteor shower and a lunar eclipse!

Star gazing

A fresh month of stargazing treats has arrived, delivering another meteor shower and the arrival of the Flower Moon to kick things off.

In a matter of days, we see the rise of the full moon known as the Flower Moon. Named for its timing alongside widespread spring bloom. While a full moon is always noteworthy, this month's also sees a penumbral eclipse!

A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes through Earth's shadow darkening its surface. The UK and Ireland just miss out on the display which is visible across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.

Just as we say goodbye to the Lyrids, the Eta Aquariid meteor shower arrived and quickly reaches its peak. While this shower is typically more active than the Lyrids providing up to 60 shooting stars an hour, this year we see an outburst peak with up to 160 an hour!

Sadly, many of these meteors will not be visible as the shower's peak coincides with the Flower Moon on May 5th. The full moon's strong light will be enough to obscure all but the brightest shooting stars.

Did you know?

The Eta Aquariids are associated with the famous Halley's Comet. The comet itself will not return until 2061.

If you still wish to take a trip to view the display, as always search for a dark area free from light pollution, away from a city.

Although the peak of the shower is disrupted by the moon, the shower should persist until around May 28th.

This means that the arrival of a new moon on May 19th may be the best time to try spotting a shooting star overhead without any moonlight to contend with.

If you are planning a stargazing trip this month, don't forget to consult the WeatherRadar before setting off to avoid unexpected weather disrupting your plans!

Mobile astrophotography tipsread more
Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
Heatwave clocks more record temperatures. Up to 38 °C in France. . . Friday 29 May 2026
A composite image showing the Temperature Radar and a drinking fountain. The Temperature Radar shows Thursday’s maximum temperatures of up to 37.8 degrees in France, whilst people use a fountain to cool off.
Friday 29 May 2026

Up to 38 °C in France

Heatwave clocks more record temperatures
Solstice kicks off the summer season. June astronomy outlook. . . Thursday 4 June 2026
Silhouette of a person sitting beside a telescope on a tripod under a clear night sky filled with dense stars and the bright band of the Milky Way.
Thursday 4 June 2026

June astronomy outlook

Solstice kicks off the summer season
Jet stream brings a change. Open for Atlantic lows. . . Tuesday 2 June 2026
Map of Europe showing the jet stream highlighted in colour. The band of strong winds stretches from the Atlantic across France and Germany to Northern Europe.
Tuesday 2 June 2026

Open for Atlantic lows

Jet stream brings a change
All weather news
This might also interest you
Seasonal warmth between spring thunder. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday 19 April 2026
Split image showing coastal sunset with layered lenticular clouds over rooftops and palm trees on the left, and a green valley with river and hills under soft daylight on the right.
Sunday 19 April 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Seasonal warmth between spring thunder
Flooding, gales, and heavy snow. Storm Chandra. . . Tuesday 27 January 2026
Split image showing aerial flooding in a town with muddy water covering roads on the left, and a rural road on the right blocked by heavy snowfall with vans stopped and a person walking in snow.
Tuesday 27 January 2026

Storm Chandra

Flooding, gales, and heavy snow
A frozen start to the weekend. Icy conditions. . . Friday 13 February 2026
UK temperature map dated 14.02 showing widespread subzero values in blue shading, with readings such as −4 in Glasgow, −3 in Dublin, and −2 in London, alongside a blue thermometer icon.
Friday 13 February 2026

Icy conditions

A frozen start to the weekend
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwitteryouTubelinkList