Star Almanack
Alexander Ferrari Miller

ISO 2027-W21

Week begins: Monday, May 24, 2027

Notation:

Calendar

DateZodiac dayEvents
Mon, May 24, 2027♊ 4
Tue, May 25, 2027♊ 5
C83 / NGC 4945 — Telescope 10 — Southern Spring
Wed, May 26, 2027♊ 6
α Com — Binoculars 5 — Tropical Spring
C29 / NGC 5005 / Finest NGC 66 / NGC 5005 · MCG 6-29-52 — Telescope 10 — Northern Spring
β Com — Binoculars 4 — Northern Spring — in the Milky Way
Thu, May 27, 2027♊ 7
M53 — Telescope 8 — Tropical Spring
Finest NGC 67 / NGC 5033 · MCG 6-29-62 — Telescope 11 — Northern Spring
M63 — Telescope 9 — Northern Spring
Fri, May 28, 2027♊ 8
🌗 Last Quarter — 13:57:56 UTC
Sat, May 29, 2027♊ 9
Mizar (ζ UMa) — Naked eye 2 — Northern Spring
Sun, May 30, 2027♊ 10
Spica (α Vir) — Naked eye 1 — Tropical Spring
C77 / NGC 5128 · Centaurus A — Telescope 7 — Southern Spring
C80 / NGC 5139 · Omega Centauri — Telescope 4 — Southern Spring

Weekly Solar-System Ephemeris

Snapshot: Week begins May 24, 2027, 00:00 UTC.

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

Notation:
Body☉︎☽︎☿︎♀︎♂︎♃︎♄︎
Ecliptic♊︎ 2°38′
β −0°00′		♑︎ 12°40′
β −2°38′		♊︎ 24°49′
β +2°16′		♉︎ 11°06′
β −1°27′		♍︎ 3°42′
β +1°28′		♌︎ 19°26′
β +0°58′		♈︎ 23°13′
β −2°18′
ObservingNightNaked eye -11.5Naked eye 0.1Naked eye -3.9Naked eye 0.7Naked eye -2.0Naked eye 0.7
Rise04:2622:4405:3603:3511:3110:1602:57
Set19:3407:0421:3317:3401:1300:3715:58

Extended targets:

Body⚳︎♅︎♆︎♇︎
Ecliptic♌︎ 0°50′
β +8°01′		♊︎ 5°34′
β −0°06′		♈︎ 6°04′
β −1°22′		♒︎ 7°07′
β −4°37′
ObservingTelescope 8.7☉︎Telescope 7.8TelescopeTelescope 14.6
Rise08:0604:3802:1500:18
Set00:3019:4714:3009:04

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 11:55:40 UTC

View:

ISO 2027-W21 runs from May 24 through May 30. Mercury is about 2.2° in ecliptic longitude from Elnath in Taurus. To find Mars, first identify Leo, trace the Sickle, and locate Regulus in that pattern. Mars lies about 3.9° away in ecliptic longitude at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot; use the finder to transfer from Regulus to the planet.

Naked eye: 🌗 Last Quarter — 13:57:56 UTC. Moderate moonlight makes timing and local sky position important for faint targets. Use Mizar, Spica as the week’s fixed-sky framework.

Mizar: A Bright Cornerstone of the Big Dipper — An enduring stellar landmark, Mizar's significance stretches across astronomy and cultural history.

Spica: The Bright Star at the Heart of the Spring Sky — An enduring beacon in the Virgo constellation, Spica's brilliance captivates stargazers and serves as a navigational marker for centuries.

Planets: Moon: Naked eye; magnitude -11.5; direct motion; 88.3% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Neptune in ecliptic longitude May 30 22:23 UTC. Conjunction with Pluto in ecliptic longitude May 26 01:32 UTC. Mercury: Naked eye; magnitude 0.1; direct motion; 47.2% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Venus: Naked eye; magnitude -3.9; direct motion; 92.9% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Mars: Naked eye; magnitude 0.7; direct motion; 89.3% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Ceres: Telescope; magnitude 8.7; direct motion; 97.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Jupiter: Naked eye; magnitude -2.0; direct motion; 99.2% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Saturn: Naked eye; magnitude 0.7; direct motion; 99.9% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Uranus: In solar glare; magnitude 5.8; direct motion; 100.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Solar conjunction in ecliptic longitude May 27 06:11 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 30 22:23 UTC. Pluto: Substantial telescope; magnitude 14.6; retrograde 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 26 01:32 UTC.

Binoculars: Trace Coma Berenices’s charted figure in the finder, then identify Diadem at its charted position. Trace Coma Berenices’s charted figure in the finder, then identify β Com at its charted position.

Alpha Comae Berenices: The Bright Diadem of the Coma Berenices Constellation — An enduring beacon in the night sky, Alpha Comae Berenices captivates observers with its significance and luminous presence.

Beta Com: A Shining Beacon in the constellation Coma Bsc. — An overview of Beta Com, its celestial significance, and its role in our understanding of the night sky.

Small telescope: NGC 4945: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; MCG 6-29-52: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; M53: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; MCG 6-29-62: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Sunflower Galaxy: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Centaurus A: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Omega Centauri: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance

Exploring the Southern Spiral Beauty: A Glimpse into Caldwell 83 — An overview of the intriguing galaxy situated in the Centaurus constellation, known for its detailed structure and role in cosmic studies.

A Glimpse into a Distant Galaxy in Canes Venatici — Discover the celestial beauty of a galaxy along the faint contours of the constellation Canes Venatici, a testament to the universe's vastness and diversity.

M53: The Cometary Wonder of Hercules — An ancient globular cluster offering astronomers a glimpse into the universe's early formations.

Exploring MCG 6-29-62: A Galaxy in Canes Venatici — A detailed look at a distant galaxy located in the constellation Canes Venatici, combining scientific knowledge and observational insights.

The Sunflower Galaxy: A Spiral Wonder in Canes Venatici — An overview of M63, its characteristics, and its significance in our understanding of spiral galaxies.

Centaurus A: A Peculiar Galaxy in the Constellation Centaurus — An overview of one of the most intriguing galaxies in our universe, known for its distinctive structure and active core.

Omega Centauri: The Bright Jewel of the Centaurus Constellation — A magnificent globular cluster that dazzles both amateur and professional astronomers with its striking stellar population.

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

Other objects listed this week: None

Mercury

Mercury: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 4.2° above the horizon. Rises 05:36; sets 21:33 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 0.1. The disk is 47.2% illuminated (crescent). It is 22.3° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 1.246° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Elnath, 3.6° away. Mercury: 3.6° from Elnath 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 27.6° below the horizon. Rises 03:35; sets 17:34 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -3.9. The disk is 92.9% illuminated (gibbous). It is 21.6° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 1.217° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Menkar, 11.7° away. Venus: 11.7° from Menkar 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 16.7° below the horizon. Rises 22:44; sets 07:04 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -11.5. The disk is 88.3% illuminated (waning gibbous). It is 139.9° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 11.938° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Nunki, 0.8° away. Conjunction with Neptune in ecliptic longitude May 30 22:23 UTC. Conjunction with Pluto in ecliptic longitude May 26 01:32 UTC. Moon: 0.8° from Nunki 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 42.7° above the horizon. Rises 11:31; sets 01:13 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 0.7. The disk is 89.3% illuminated (gibbous). It is 91.1° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.416° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Regulus, 3.6° away. Mars: 3.6° 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 36.9° above the horizon. Rises 10:16; sets 00:37 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -2.0. The disk is 99.2% illuminated (nearly full). It is 76.8° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.113° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Acubens, 8.1° away. Jupiter: 8.1° 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 37.9° below the horizon. Rises 02:57; sets 15:58 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 0.7. The disk is 99.9% illuminated (nearly full). It is 39.5° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.107° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Alrescha, 9.4° away. Saturn: 9.4° from Alrescha in the Pathfinder.

Uranus

Uranus: in solar glare at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Rises 04:38; sets 19:47 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 5.8. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 2.9° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.059° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Aldebaran, 7.1° away. Solar conjunction in ecliptic longitude May 27 06:11 UTC. Uranus: 7.1° 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 02:15; sets 14:30 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 7.8. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 56.6° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.024° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Diphda, 19.6° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude May 30 22:23 UTC. Neptune: 19.6° from Diphda 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 32.6° above the horizon. Rises 08:06; sets 00:30 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 8.7. The disk is 97.0% illuminated (gibbous). It is 58.6° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.378° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Pollux, 7.3° away. Ceres: 7.3° 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 33.6° below the horizon. Rises 00:18; sets 09:04 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 14.6. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 115.4° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is retrograde at 0.007° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Dabih, 9.6° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude May 26 01:32 UTC. Pluto: 9.6° from Dabih in the Pathfinder.