Experience a meteor shower on Monday night and check out additional skywatching advice from NASA.

      A new month has begun, and NASA is back with some exciting highlights to anticipate in the upcoming weeks.

      **Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower**

      To kick things off, we have the Eta Aquarid meteor shower, which is associated with Comet Halley.

      “Eta Aquarids are fast-moving and many create lasting dust trails that can linger for several seconds after the initial flash of the meteor,” according to NASA's latest skywatching video.

      They mention that while this is one of the premier meteor showers in the Southern Hemisphere, it is somewhat less impressive north of the Equator; however, viewers there can still expect to see between 10 and 20 meteors each hour.

      “On the peak night of May 6, the moon will set around 3 a.m., providing dark skies until dawn, perfect for viewing,” NASA notes.

      As with all meteor showers, it’s best to find a spot far from light pollution and with a wide view of the sky to maximize your chances of seeing numerous meteors.

      **Planetary Observations**

      May is also an excellent month for identifying planets in the night sky. After sunset, for instance, Mars and Jupiter will be prominently visible in the west. Mars can be recognized by its salmon-pink hue, while Jupiter is easily identifiable due to its brightness.

      Additionally, early risers have a great opportunity to observe Venus and Saturn this month. Currently, they appear relatively close, but their separation will increase as the weeks go by.

      “For several days in late May, those up early will witness a conjunction of the moon, Saturn, and Venus in the eastern sky just before dawn,” NASA explains. “Watch as the moon moves past the two planets while transforming into a thinner crescent. On May 23, the moon will be positioned between Venus and Saturn.”

      **Anticipating a Nova**

      NASA also provides guidance on how to observe a nova, which is a sudden, brilliant explosion on the surface of a white dwarf star, triggered by the rapid fusion of accumulated hydrogen from a companion star.

      They reference a binary star system called T Coronae Borealis, located about 3,000 light-years away. This system consists of a red giant star with a smaller white dwarf star that orbits it.

      “Approximately every 80 years, the white dwarf gathers enough of the other star’s hydrogen to trigger a thermonuclear explosion — that’s the nova,” NASA describes.

      The nova is anticipated to occur within the next few months, and astronomers expect it to shine as brightly as the brightest star in the constellation, comparable to the North Star, Polaris.

      Make sure to check out NASA’s video for tips on how to spot the bright light of this remarkable event, which should be visible for several days.

      Naturally, all of this depends on clear skies, so let’s hope the clouds stay away, allowing you to fully enjoy NASA's skywatching recommendations for May.