🌌 What to Shoot in Carolina’s Skies: May 2025 Edition
- Juxtaposed Tides
- Apr 30
- 7 min read
Updated: May 29
# A Juxtaposed Tides Feature – Aperture Abenteuer Series
Explore What to Shoot in Carolina’s Skies
As spring unfolds across the Carolinas, May 2025 presents some of the most breathtaking celestial events of the year. Whether you are an accomplished astrophotographer or a casual stargazer, the cosmos beckons this month. Meteor showers, planetary alignments, deep-sky opportunities, and stunning Moon phases are on the horizon. What to shoot in Carolina's skies invites you to look upward, plan your evenings—and even early mornings—and capture the wonders above.
Celestial Highlights for May
The Show Begins: Vesta and Mars Light the Fuse
The month kicks off on May 2, when asteroid Vesta reaches opposition. This is its closest and brightest appearance of the year, shining at magnitude 5.4. Under Carolina's dark skies, Vesta may even be visible without a telescope. Astrophotographers should consider tracking its subtle movement through time-lapse photography or a sequence of comparisons. Just a day later, on May 3, the Moon and Mars will enjoy a close conjunction in the evening sky. The waxing crescent Moon, about 44% illuminated, will sit beside a faint yet identifiable Mars. This presents a stunning opportunity to frame both objects against familiar landscapes like pine tree lines, barns, or mountains.
Next up is the Eta Aquariid meteor shower, peaking between May 5 and 6. These swift meteors originate from Halley’s Comet. While they tend to shine most brilliantly in the Southern Hemisphere, observers in the Carolinas can still see up to 30 meteors per hour in the pre-dawn darkness. Look east, adjust your eyes, and bring a fast lens. This is one of May’s true highlights for photographers aiming to capture meteors streaking across a moonless sky.
Interestingly, on the same day, Mars will pass through the Beehive Cluster (M44) in the constellation Cancer. Through binoculars or a telescope, Mars' reddish glow will punctuate the dense field of stars. It’s a mesmerizing scene that is worth your lens—and your patience.
Moon Phases and Planetary Performances
On May 10, the Eta Lyrid meteor shower will further enhance the celestial drama, providing a more subtle yet rewarding burst of activity. Although not as prolific as the Aquariids, the Eta Lyrids will still produce a few meteors each hour, extending the window for those chasing the night skies throughout the week.
May 12 brings the Full Flower Moon, which will be a micromoon this year. This occurs when the Moon is at its farthest point from Earth in its orbit, making it appear slightly smaller in the sky. While it won’t fill the frame like a supermoon, its subtle presence is ideal for creative compositions with landscapes or architectural silhouettes—especially during moonrise or moonset. Just two days later, on May 14, the Moon will glide by the red supergiant Antares, the heart of the Scorpius constellation. Observers with telescopes or telephoto lenses can capture the stark contrast between the Moon’s cold brilliance and Antares’ orange-red glow.
Mid-month provides a special treat for telescope owners. On May 15, Jupiter’s moons Io and Ganymede will cast simultaneous shadows across the planet’s cloud bands during a double shadow transit. This rare event is brief, but the payoff is stunning—two sharp dots drifting across the face of the gas giant like dancers in a spotlight.
As the month progresses, the planetary performance continues to unfold. From May 22 to May 24, look southeast in the pre-dawn hours to catch the Moon joining Venus and Saturn in a graceful arc. Venus, shining at a brilliant magnitude of -4.4, will lead the way, with Saturn’s golden hue following closely. The crescent Moon will join them, forming a beautiful pre-sunrise triangle of light. This alignment is ideal for wide-field photography, particularly in locations with a clear eastern horizon, such as lakefronts, hilltops, or the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Toward Darkness: Deep-Sky Season Returns
By May 27, the New Moon arrives, offering one of the best dark-sky windows of the month. With no lunar illumination, deep-sky objects become more visible—galaxies, nebulae, and broad sections of the Milky Way come alive. If you're willing to venture to truly dark areas, such as Pilot Mountain, Uwharrie National Forest, or even Congaree National Park in neighboring South Carolina, now is the time to aim high. Targets like the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy (M83), the Carina Nebula (for those traveling south), or the sweeping arms of the Milky Way are all within reach for long exposures—especially if you have a tracking mount or star adventurer setup.
Wrapping up the month, a subtle but notable shift occurs in the western sky. On May 31, Mercury reaches its greatest eastern elongation, making it briefly visible just after sunset. It may not be high in the sky—it can be a challenge to spot—but with clear weather and a low, unobstructed horizon, Mercury (shining at a glowing magnitude of -2.4) might reveal itself momentarily in the twilight. This is a "catch it if you can" event that becomes even more rewarding when successfully observed.
Meanwhile, Venus will dazzle in the morning sky all month long, rising earlier and brighter each day. Mars will slowly travel from Cancer into Leo, fading slightly in brightness, but it remains worth watching, especially when paired with constellations or as a foreground element in time-lapse sequences.
Summary of Celestial Events
🌠 Meteor Showers
☄️ Eta Aquariids
Peak: May 5–6
Best Time: Pre-dawn (2:00–5:00 a.m.)
Activity: Up to 30–50 meteors/hour
Notes: These meteors are fast and often leave persistent trails, making them ideal for long-exposure photography. While they shine brightest in the Southern Hemisphere, early risers in the Carolinas can still enjoy a decent viewing.
Photographer Tip: Use a wide-angle lens, set ISO to 3200, and retain a 20-second exposure while aiming near Aquarius’ radiant.
☄️ Eta Lyrids
Peak: May 10
Activity: 10–15 meteors/hour
Notes: Although less active than the Aquariids, the Eta Lyrids still provide an excellent extension for your meteor observations. Look toward Lyra before midnight.
🌑 Moon Events
🌒 Moon–Mars Conjunction
Date: May 3
Details: Mars (~magnitude 1.0) will meet the 44% illuminated Moon in the evening sky.
Shoot Tip: Capture this moment with a standard lens and include some foreground interest like silhouettes or reflections.
🌕 Full Flower Micromoon
Date: May 12
Why “Micro”?: The Moon will be near apogee, appearing slightly smaller.
Shoot Tip: Photograph during moonrise or moonset for intriguing visual size illusions using buildings or trees.
🌙 Moon Meets Antares
Date: May 14
Details: A striking visual when the Moon glides by the red supergiant Antares.
Shoot Tip: Use a telescope or telephoto lens to emphasize the contrast in colors between the bright white Moon and Antares’ orange-red hue.
🌑 New Moon – Deep Sky Time
Date: May 27
Impact: Dark skies are perfect for capturing faint galaxies and nebulae.
Targets: Consider photographing the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy (M83) or the Carina Nebula (if traveling south), or producing wide Milky Way panoramas.
Shoot Tip: Utilize a star tracker for long exposures. Consider apps like Stellarium or PhotoPills to plan your compositions.
🪐 Planetary Pairings & Motion
🪐 Vesta at Opposition
Date: May 2
Details: Asteroid Vesta reaches its brilliance at magnitude 5.4—barely visible to the naked eye in very dark skies.
Shoot Tip: Track Vesta over several nights to showcase its movement in time-lapse photography.
🛸 Mars Meets the Beehive (M44)
Date: May 5
Details: Mars will pass through the Beehive Cluster in Cancer—a captivating mix of planetary light and starlight.
Shoot Tip: Use a telescope or zoom lens; stack multiple short exposures to highlight cluster detail.
🔭 Double Shadow Transit on Jupiter
Date: May 15
Details: Io and Ganymede's shadows will cross Jupiter at the same time.
Shoot Tip: Requires a telescope, excellent atmospheric conditions, and a planetary camera. Start early as the transits move quickly.
🌔 Moon–Venus–Saturn Alignment
Dates: May 22–24 (Pre-dawn)
Details: The crescent Moon, Saturn, and brilliant Venus will line up beautifully.
Shoot Tip: Ideal for wide-angle shots before sunrise. Set your alarm for 5 a.m. and include elements from the foreground like trees or ridges.
🌆 Mercury’s Greatest Eastern Elongation
Date: May 31
Details: Mercury will be at its prime evening visibility. Look westward just after sunset.
Shoot Tip: It will be low and fleeting; binoculars or a telephoto lens are suggested, and scouting out your horizon early can be beneficial.
🔭 Planets Worth Watching
🌟 Venus
Visibility: All month, in the morning before sunrise.
Appearance: This bright, unmistakable light will range from -4.4 to -4.7 magnitude.
Shoot Tip: Consider capturing Venus during its crescent phase using a telescope or wide-angle shots with landscape features.
🔥 Mars
Path: Moves from Cancer into Leo.
Details: Keeping a lower brightness level this month (~magnitude 1.3), it makes for great compositions when paired with constellations.
Final Thoughts
From shooting stars to fleeting planetary alignments, May 2025 is an exciting month for lovers of the night sky. It rewards both patience and spontaneity. Whether you’re setting alarms for pre-dawn alignments or gathering friends for a New Moon shoot under the stars, there’s something for every skywatcher to enjoy.
So charge your batteries, clear your memory cards, and let your imagination soar alongside the constellations. We look forward to meeting you under Carolina’s skies.
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