May 2026 Sky Guide: Meteor Shower, Planet Conjunction, and Blue Moon

May 2026 brings one of the busiest stargazing months of the year. A full Flower Moon kicks things off, the Eta Aquarid meteor shower lights up the predawn sky, the Moon meets Venus and Jupiter in a striking conjunction, and the month closes with a rare calendar Blue Moon. Here is what to look for and how to plan your viewing nights.

Full Flower Moon: May 1

The astronomical action gets started right away. The Flower Moon rises on the night of Friday, May 1. According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, the name traces back to the Algonquin and Ojibwe peoples and was inspired by the abundance of flowers blooming in early May. Other traditional names include the Frog Moon, the Planting Moon, and the Budding Moon.

Stargazers will need clear skies to enjoy the show. The Pacific Northwest looks favorable, with mostly cooperative conditions and breaks in any cloud cover. The rest of the West Coast may not be as lucky, with clouds likely over much of California.

The Desert Southwest and interior West will see the best viewing conditions on Friday. Skies will also be clear across the Northern Plains. Cloud cover is expected to obscure portions of the central U.S., the Mississippi Valley, and the Northeast. Check your local forecast on Weather Forecast Now before you head outside.