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
Record-breaking heatwave in Europe. New records. . . Thursday 25 June 2026
A map showing extremely high temperatures across Western Europe and a warning symbol. On the right, people cool off at a fountain in front of the Eiffel Tower during the heatwave in Paris.
Thursday 25 June 2026

New records

Record-breaking heatwave in Europe
June temperature record broken again. Three days running. . . Friday 26 June 2026
Temperature map of eastern England showing extreme heat around Ipswich and nearby areas, with temperatures reaching 36°C near Cambridge and a large red thermometer icon highlighting intense heat.
Friday 26 June 2026

Three days running

June temperature record broken again
Increasingly gusty as low approaches. Overnight winds. . . Wednesday 1 July 2026
Wind forecast map of the UK and northern Europe showing a low-pressure system centred near the Faroe Islands, with orange wind zones, airflow streamlines, and gusts reaching 45 mph in northeast Scotland and around 35 mph across Ireland and northern England.
Wednesday 1 July 2026

Overnight winds

Increasingly gusty as low approaches
All weather news
This might also interest you
Bright and warm conditions take hold. Spring-like outlook. . . Thursday 23 April 2026
Split UK map showing warm temperatures up to 21 degrees in orange on the left and clear sunny conditions with temperatures from 12 to 18 degrees on the right, with sun icons across the country.
Thursday 23 April 2026

Spring-like outlook

Bright and warm conditions take hold
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
Long-term trends need a pinch of salt. 40 °C in July?. . . Tuesday 30 June 2026
Temperature radar of 2022 heatwave where the all-time temperature record in the UK was set. Warning symbol overlain.
Tuesday 30 June 2026

40 °C in July?

Long-term trends need a pinch of salt
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