Star Almanack
Alexander Ferrari Miller

ISO 2027-W18

Week begins: Monday, May 3, 2027

Notation:

Calendar

DateZodiac dayEvents
Mon, May 3, 2027♉ 14
Tue, May 4, 2027♉ 15
Wed, May 5, 2027♉ 16
Beltane · Spring–Summer midpoint — 17:25:11 UTC
Finest NGC 43 / NGC 3877 · MCG 8-22-2 — Telescope 12 — Northern Spring
Denebola (β Leo) — Naked eye 2 — Tropical Spring
Thu, May 6, 2027♉ 17
🌑 New Moon — 10:58:38 UTC
Zavijava (β Vir) — Binoculars 4 — Tropical Spring
β Hya — Binoculars 4 — Southern Spring
Finest NGC 44 / NGC 3941 · MCG 6-26-51 — Telescope 11 — Northern Spring
Fri, May 7, 2027♉ 18
Phecda (γ UMa) — Naked eye 2 — Northern Spring
Sat, May 8, 2027♉ 19
M109 — Telescope 10 — Northern Spring
Finest NGC 45 / NGC 4026 · MCG 9-20-52 — Telescope 12 — Northern Spring
Sun, May 9, 2027♉ 20
Finest NGC 74 / NGC 4038 · The Antennae with 4039 / C60 / NGC 4038 · Antennae Galaxies — Telescope 11 — Tropical Spring
C61 / NGC 4039 · Antennae Galaxies — Telescope 13 — Tropical Spring

Weekly Solar-System Ephemeris

Snapshot: Week begins May 3, 2027, 00:00 UTC.

(-90° to +90°; defaults +45°, 21:00 LAT)

Notation:
Body☉︎☽︎☿︎♀︎♂︎♃︎♄︎
Ecliptic♉︎ 12°21′
β +0°00′		♓︎ 29°05′
β +3°24′		♉︎ 17°13′
β +0°25′		♈︎ 15°34′
β −1°39′		♌︎ 26°06′
β +2°04′		♌︎ 17°36′
β +1°00′		♈︎ 20°49′
β −2°15′
ObservingNightNaked eye -7.8☉︎Naked eye -3.9Naked eye 0.3Naked eye -2.1Naked eye 0.7
Rise04:5102:5805:0303:5912:1111:2904:14
Set19:0915:2519:3516:4102:2201:5517:08

Extended targets:

Body⚳︎♅︎♆︎♇︎
Ecliptic♋︎ 23°21′
β +8°14′		♊︎ 4°22′
β −0°07′		♈︎ 5°29′
β −1°22′		♒︎ 7°10′
β −4°32′
ObservingTelescope 8.6Binoculars 5.8Telescope 7.8TelescopeTelescope 14.6
Rise08:4405:5703:3601:40
Set01:3021:0315:4910:27

β = ecliptic latitude (+ north, − south).
Rise and set are Local Apparent Time for the selected latitude.
Naked-eye observing uses the Sun’s altitude at the selected Monday observer time: Daylight (Sun ≥ −0.833°), Civil twilight (−0.833° to −6°), Nautical twilight (−6° to −12°), Astronomical twilight (−12° to −18°), and Night (below −18°).
Solar Glare identifies a body too close to the Sun when the sky-state rule does not already supersede its naked-eye classification.
The Sun’s observing status uses this same five-state sky classification.

Notation:

Planet Finder

Planet Finder — Greek / Symbols
Greek / Symbols
Planet Finder — English
English
Planet Finder — Mixed Learner
Mixed Learner

Sky Notes

Kilroy: Sky Notes · generated 2026-10-22 10:48:59 UTC

View:

ISO 2027-W18 runs from May 3 through May 9. To find Mars, first identify Leo, trace the Sickle, and locate Regulus in that pattern. Mars lies about 3.7° away in ecliptic longitude at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot; use the finder to transfer from Regulus to the planet.

Naked eye: 🌑 New Moon — 10:58:38 UTC. The dark Moon favors faint targets and extended star fields. Use Denebola, Phecda as the week’s fixed-sky framework.

Denebola: The Bright Lion’s Tail Star — A detailed look at Denebola, a prominent star marking the tail of Leo the lion, with its notable astronomical features and significance.

Phecda: The Heart of the Big Dipper — A prominent star shaping the iconic asterism in Ursa Major with consistent brilliance.

Planets: Moon: Naked eye; magnitude -7.8; direct motion; 13.7% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Solar conjunction in ecliptic longitude May 06 10:58 UTC. Conjunction with Mercury in ecliptic longitude May 07 04:35 UTC. Conjunction with Venus in ecliptic longitude May 04 09:18 UTC. Conjunction with Saturn in ecliptic longitude May 04 16:00 UTC. Conjunction with Uranus in ecliptic longitude May 07 18:51 UTC. Conjunction with Neptune in ecliptic longitude May 03 11:54 UTC. Mercury: In solar glare; magnitude -1.9; direct motion; 98.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude May 07 04:35 UTC. Venus: Naked eye; magnitude -3.9; direct motion; 89.0% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude May 04 09:18 UTC. Conjunction with Saturn in ecliptic longitude May 07 18:47 UTC. Mars: Naked eye; magnitude 0.3; direct motion; 90.2% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Ceres: Telescope; magnitude 8.6; direct motion; 96.4% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Jupiter: Naked eye; magnitude -2.1; direct motion; 99.1% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Saturn: Naked eye; magnitude 0.7; direct motion; 100.0% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude May 04 16:00 UTC. Conjunction with Venus in ecliptic longitude May 07 18:47 UTC. Uranus: Binoculars; magnitude 5.8; direct motion; 100.0% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude May 07 18:51 UTC. Neptune: Telescope; magnitude 7.8; direct motion; 100.0% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude May 03 11:54 UTC. Pluto: Substantial telescope; magnitude 14.6; direct motion; 100.0% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Station May 08 12:56 UTC: turns retrograde.

Binoculars: Trace Virgo’s charted figure in the finder, then identify Zavijava at its charted position. Trace Hydra’s charted figure in the finder, then identify β Hya at its charted position.

Zavijava: The Heart of Virgo’s Stellar Tapestry — An enduring beacon in the sky, Zavijava embodies the quiet brilliance of Virgo's tapestry.

Beta Hydrae: A Gill of the Hydra Constellation — An enduring beacon in the night sky, Beta Hydrae offers valuable insights into stellar characteristics.

Small telescope: MCG 8-22-2: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; MCG 6-26-51: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; M109: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; MCG 9-20-52: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Antennae Galaxies: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Antennae Galaxies: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance

Unveiling MCG 8-22-2: A Galaxy in Ursa Major — Discover the characteristics and significance of this intriguing celestial galaxy.

MCG 6-26-51: A Galaxy in the Heart of Ursa Major — An intriguing galaxy nestled within Ursa Major, offering a glimpse into the universe's vastness and complexity.

M109: A Spiral Galaxy in Ursa Major — An enduring sight for stargazers and astronomers alike, M109 offers a glimpse into the grand design of the universe's spiral galaxies.

Unveiling MCG 9-20-52: A Galaxy in Ursa Major — A closer look at this intriguing galaxy, testifying to the universe's vast diversity.

The Antennae Galaxies: Cosmic Collisions in the Constellation Corvus — An exploration of one of the most intriguing interacting galaxy systems visible from Earth.

Antennae Galaxies: Colliding Giants in Corvus — An overview of the iconic merging galaxies in the constellation Corvus, highlighting their structure and significance.

Substantial telescope: No fixed-sky Calendar object is classified as requiring a substantial telescope this week.

Other objects listed this week: Antennae Galaxies

Mercury

Mercury: in solar glare at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Rises 05:03; sets 19:35 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -1.9. The disk is 98.0% illuminated (gibbous). It is 4.9° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 2.152° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Hamal, 13.2° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude May 07 04:35 UTC. Mercury: 13.2° from Hamal in the Pathfinder.

Venus

Venus: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 37.4° below the horizon. Rises 03:59; sets 16:41 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -3.9. The disk is 89.0% illuminated (gibbous). It is 26.8° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 1.214° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Alrescha, 15.9° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude May 04 09:18 UTC. Conjunction with Saturn in ecliptic longitude May 07 18:47 UTC. Venus: 15.9° from Alrescha in the Pathfinder.

Moon

Moon: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 42.3° below the horizon. Rises 02:58; sets 15:25 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -7.8. The disk is 13.7% illuminated (waning crescent). It is 43.4° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 12.829° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Fumalsamakah, 11.5° away. Solar conjunction in ecliptic longitude May 06 10:58 UTC. Conjunction with Mercury in ecliptic longitude May 07 04:35 UTC. Conjunction with Venus in ecliptic longitude May 04 09:18 UTC. Conjunction with Saturn in ecliptic longitude May 04 16:00 UTC. Conjunction with Uranus in ecliptic longitude May 07 18:51 UTC. Conjunction with Neptune in ecliptic longitude May 03 11:54 UTC. Moon: 11.5° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.

Mars

Mars: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 52.8° above the horizon. Rises 12:11; sets 02:22 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 0.3. The disk is 90.2% illuminated (gibbous). It is 103.7° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.299° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Regulus, 4.4° away. Mars: 4.4° from Regulus in the Pathfinder.

Jupiter

Jupiter: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 49.5° above the horizon. Rises 11:29; sets 01:55 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -2.1. The disk is 99.1% illuminated (nearly full). It is 95.2° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.060° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Acubens, 7.0° away. Jupiter: 7.0° from Acubens in the Pathfinder.

Saturn

Saturn: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 34.3° below the horizon. Rises 04:14; sets 17:08 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 0.7. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 21.7° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.120° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Alrescha, 11.2° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude May 04 16:00 UTC. Conjunction with Venus in ecliptic longitude May 07 18:47 UTC. Saturn: 11.2° from Alrescha in the Pathfinder.

Uranus

Uranus: binoculars at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 0.1° below the horizon. Rises 05:57; sets 21:03 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 5.8. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 22.0° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.055° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Aldebaran, 7.9° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude May 07 18:51 UTC. Uranus: 7.9° from Aldebaran in the Pathfinder.

Neptune

Neptune: telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 43.3° below the horizon. Rises 03:36; sets 15:49 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 7.8. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 36.9° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.032° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Fumalsamakah, 19.5° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude May 03 11:54 UTC. Neptune: 19.5° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.

Ceres

Ceres: telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 42.3° above the horizon. Rises 08:44; sets 01:30 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 8.6. The disk is 96.4% illuminated (gibbous). It is 71.2° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.332° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Pollux, 1.6° away. Ceres: 1.6° from Pollux in the Pathfinder.

Pluto

Pluto: substantial telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 48.0° below the horizon. Rises 01:40; sets 10:27 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 14.6. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 95.2° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.003° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Dabih, 9.5° away. Station May 08 12:56 UTC: turns retrograde. Pluto: 9.5° from Dabih in the Pathfinder.