As the Earth progresses through its orbit, the night sky of May unveils a tapestry of constellations rich in mythology, stellar beauty, and astronomical significance.
This transitional period from spring to summer (or autumn to winter in the Southern Hemisphere) offers a unique celestial landscape.
Observers can enjoy a variety of constellations that highlight the diversity and splendor of the cosmos. Let’s explore some of the key constellations that adorn the night sky in May.
What are the May constellations?
The May constellations are:
- Canes Venatici (The Hunting Dogs) – Represents the two hunting dogs held by Bootes, the herdsman, chasing after the bears Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.
- Centaurus (The Centaur) – Known for its two bright stars, Alpha and Beta Centauri, and represents a centaur, blending human intellect and animal instincts.
- Coma Berenices (Berenice’s Hair) – Symbolizes the hair of Queen Berenice II of Egypt, dedicated to the gods for her husband’s safe return from war.
- Corvus (The Crow) – Depicts a crow or raven associated with several myths, including a bearer of bad news in Greek mythology.
- Crux (The Southern Cross) – A prominent and easily recognizable constellation in the southern hemisphere, symbolizing the cross on which Jesus was crucified in Christian tradition.
- Musca (The Fly) – Represents a fly, initially named Apis the Bee, and is one of the smaller constellations in the southern sky.
- Virgo (The Maiden) – The largest zodiac constellation, symbolizing fertility and harvest, and notable for containing the bright star Spica.
1. Canes Venatici (The Hunting Dogs)
Canes Venatici, the hunting dogs, faithfully track their celestial prey across the night sky.
This small constellation is home to several notable galaxies, including the famous Whirlpool Galaxy (Messier 51) and the Sunflower Galaxy (Messier 63). Observing Canes Venatici can provide a glimpse into the vast expanse of our cosmic neighborhood.
Details
- Number of Stars : 19
- Main Aspect: Depicts the loyal hunting companions of Boötes, the Herdsman.
- Principal Stars: Chara, Cor Caroli
- Brightest Star: Cor Caroli
- Hemisphere: Northern
- TL;DR: Canes Venatici represents unwavering loyalty and dedication, accompanying Boötes in his celestial hunt.
2. Centaurus (The Centaur)
Centaurus, the mighty centaur, gallops through the night sky, showcasing his power and grace.
Named after the half-human, half-horse creatures from Greek mythology, this sprawling constellation is one of the largest in the sky. Within its boundaries lies the bright star Alpha Centauri, the closest star system to our own.
Details
- Number of Stars : 281
- Main Aspect: Depicts the half-man, half-horse mythological creatures known as centaurs.
- Principal Stars: Alpha Centauri, Beta Centauri, Hadar, Menkent
- Brightest Star: Alpha Centauri
- Hemisphere: Southern
- TL;DR: Centaurus’ constellation represents the mythical and powerful centaur, as well as the nearby proximity of the Alpha Centauri star system.
3. Coma Berenices (Berenice’s Hair)
Coma Berenices, the ethereal cluster of stars, captivates the night sky with its delicate beauty.
Named after Queen Berenice II of Egypt, this constellation is a collection of stars that symbolizes the queen’s sacrifice of her hair as an offering to the gods. Coma Berenices features the Coma Star Cluster, a stunning open star cluster that sparkles like celestial jewels.
Details
- Number of Stars : 22
- Main Aspect: Commemorates a queen’s sacrifice and devotion to the divine.
- Principal Stars: Diadem, Beta Comae Berenices
- Brightest Star: Beta Comae Berenices
- Hemisphere: Northern
- TL;DR: Coma Berenices represents the celestial commemoration of Queen Berenice II’s sacrificial offering, reminiscent of a shimmering stellar adornment.
4. Corvus (The Crow)
Corvus, the crow, graces the night sky with its presence, a clever and mysterious figure illuminated by distant stars.
Depicting the shape of a crow in flight, this small but distinct constellation tells ancient stories of intelligence and cunning. Its stars form a distinctive quadrilateral pattern that stands out amidst the neighboring constellations.
Details
- Number of Stars : 11
- Main Aspect: Represents the shape of a crow, a figure associated with mythology and symbolism.
- Principal Stars: Alchiba, Gienah, Minkar, Kraz, Algorab
- Brightest Star: Alchiba
- Hemisphere: Southern
- TL;DR: Corvus embodies the cleverness and mystery associated with crows, shining brightly with a unique quadrilateral pattern of stars.
5. Crux (The Southern Cross)
Crux, the Southern Cross, serves as a celestial guidepost, pointing the way for those navigating the southern hemisphere.
One of the most recognizable constellations in the night sky, Crux is composed of four bright stars that form a cross-like shape. It holds immense cultural significance, serving as a navigational beacon and symbolizing hope and discovery.
Details
- Number of Stars : 42
- Main Aspect: Symbolizes hope and serves as a guiding marker for those navigating the southern hemisphere.
- Principal Stars: Acrux, Mimosa, Gacrux
- Brightest Star: Acrux
- Hemisphere: Southern
- TL;DR: Crux, also known as the Southern Cross, is a well-known constellation, representing hope and guiding travelers across the southern skies.
6. Musca (The Fly)
Musca, the tiny fly, buzzes through the night sky, captivating the imagination with its intriguing form.
This small, inconspicuous constellation lies close to the Southern Cross, representing a common insect found across the globe. Though modest in size, Musca’s stars create a distinctive shape that stands out amidst its neighboring constellations.
Details
- Number of Stars : 18
- Main Aspect: Depicts a fly, a common insect found worldwide.
- Principal Stars: Alpha Muscae, Gamma Muscae, Beta Muscae
- Brightest Star: Alpha Muscae
- Hemisphere: Southern
- TL;DR: Musca, the constellation shaped like a fly, may be small but still offers an intriguing sight in the night sky as it humbly buzzes near the Southern Cross.
7. Virgo (The Maiden)
Virgo, the maiden, graces the night sky with her grace and purity, symbolizing both the harvest and new beginnings.
One of the largest constellations, Virgo holds several notable galaxies within its boundaries, including the Virgo Cluster, a massive collection of galaxies. It serves as a reminder of the cyclical nature of life, representing growth, fertility, and the changing seasons.
Details
- Number of Stars : 269
- Main Aspect: Depicts a maiden, embodying qualities of grace, purity, and fertility.
- Principal Stars: Spica, Porrima, Vindemiatrix, Zavijava
- Brightest Star: Spica
- Hemisphere: Northern
- TL;DR: Virgo, the constellation of the maiden, symbolizes fertility, new beginnings, and the cycles of life, hosting numerous galaxies within its expansive borders.