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 astronomy outlook: Meteor shower and the Flower Moon

08:00
6 May 2025

May astronomy outlook
Meteor shower and the Flower Moon

Man sits with telescope looking up at the Milky Way.

A quieter month in the skies above, but with one of the more active meteor showers, it's a good time to look up!

EventDates
Eta Aquarids Meteor ShowerMay 6th-7th
Full Moon (Flower Moon)May 12th
New MoonMay 27th
Best time to see VenusMay 31st

Kicking off May is the Eta Aquarids, which can deliver up to 60 meteors an hour for the Southern Hemisphere, but just 30 for us in the Northern Hemisphere. It is also notable for being the remnants of Halley's Comet.

One of the oldest recorded comets to visit Earth, the shower has been active since April 19th and runs until May 28th, peaking overnight of May 6th.

The shooting stars may be harder to spot with a Full Moon rising on May 12th. Native Americans gave this Moon the moniker of the Flower Moon, for its spring timing as flower came to bloom.

We then take a break until May 27th when a New Moon presents the best time of the month to see star constellations above, try to find an area free from light pollution for the best view.

While on the final day of May, Venus is at its greatest eastern elongation, the easiest time of the year to see the hottest planet in the solar system. On the 31st, look towards the eastern horizon shortly before sunrise.

Whichever astronomical event you look out for, it won't be possible if weather conditions are unsuitable. Be sure to check on the WeatherRadar to find the best location for a night until the stars.

Tips: Astrophotography with your phoneread also
Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
Temperature map of southeast England showing overnight low temperatures, with Kenley highlighted at 21.3°C and surrounding areas in yellow-orange shades indicating mild nighttime conditions.
Tuesday 26 May 2026

May heatwave

Tropical night breaks overnight record
Split image showing a nighttime lightning strike beneath storm clouds on the left and a lightning detection map with dense storm activity across central England on the right.
Wednesday 27 May 2026

Trickier than you think

Why it's hard to pinpoint thunderstorms
Split image showing a European weather map with low-pressyre system, temperature bands, and thunderstorm icon on the left, and a bright rainbow over green countryside and mountains on the right.
Wednesday 27 May 2026

Early summer ends

A change in the weather is on the way
All weather news
This might also interest you
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
Outline of Santa Claus with a yellow and white hat, "Ho-Ho-Ho" next to the outline above a Christmas tree.
Thursday 25 December 2025

Merry Christmas!

Wishes from Weather & Radar
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
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