Home
Weather London
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
Career
    Home / Editor's Pick /

    May astro outlook: Fresh meteor shower and a lunar eclipse!

15:00
2 May 2023

May astro outlook
Fresh meteor shower and a lunar eclipse!

Star gazing

A fresh month of stargazing treats has arrived, delivering another meteor shower and the arrival of the Flower Moon to kick things off.

In a matter of days, we see the rise of the full moon known as the Flower Moon. Named for its timing alongside widespread spring bloom. While a full moon is always noteworthy, this month's also sees a penumbral eclipse!

A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes through Earth's shadow darkening its surface. The UK and Ireland just miss out on the display which is visible across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.

Just as we say goodbye to the Lyrids, the Eta Aquariid meteor shower arrived and quickly reaches its peak. While this shower is typically more active than the Lyrids providing up to 60 shooting stars an hour, this year we see an outburst peak with up to 160 an hour!

Sadly, many of these meteors will not be visible as the shower's peak coincides with the Flower Moon on May 5th. The full moon's strong light will be enough to obscure all but the brightest shooting stars.

Did you know?

The Eta Aquariids are associated with the famous Halley's Comet. The comet itself will not return until 2061.

If you still wish to take a trip to view the display, as always search for a dark area free from light pollution, away from a city.

Although the peak of the shower is disrupted by the moon, the shower should persist until around May 28th.

This means that the arrival of a new moon on May 19th may be the best time to try spotting a shooting star overhead without any moonlight to contend with.

If you are planning a stargazing trip this month, don't forget to consult the WeatherRadar before setting off to avoid unexpected weather disrupting your plans!

Mobile astrophotography tipsread more
Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
UV levels peak with the heat today. Latest heatwave. . . Wednesday, 29 July 2026
Split graphic showing a temperature map of England and eastern Ireland with temperatures reaching 33°C near London, 32°C in Norwich, and 29°C around Birmingham on the left, alongside a person applying sunscreen with a UV icon on the right.
Wednesday, 29 July 2026

Latest heatwave

UV levels peak with the heat today
Forest fires spread to south-east Europe. Heat and strong winds. . . Thursday, 30 July 2026
Split image showing an active wildfire with flames and thick smoke on the left, and a wind forecast map of Greece on the right with gusts of 25–35 mph around the Aegean Sea, alongside a wildfire warning symbol highlighting elevated fire danger.
Thursday, 30 July 2026

Heat and strong winds

Forest fires spread to south-east Europe
Half of England now in drought. Joining North Wales. . . Wednesday, 29 July 2026
Dry section of the River Thames beneath a small stone bridge, with the riverbed exposed and cracked after prolonged, dry weather, while a person walks along the roadside above.
Wednesday, 29 July 2026

Joining North Wales

Half of England now in drought
All weather news
This might also interest you
Turbulent weather in the Canary Islands. Storm and rain. . . Friday, 12 December 2025
Weather graphic showing rain and wind fields over the Canary Islands and a central warning symbol.
Friday, 12 December 2025

Storm and rain

Turbulent weather in the Canary Islands
Seasonal warmth between spring thunder. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday, 19 April 2026
Split image showing coastal sunset with layered lenticular clouds over rooftops and palm trees on the left, and a green valley with river and hills under soft daylight on the right.
Sunday, 19 April 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Seasonal warmth between spring thunder
New records for England and Wales. Broken again tomorrow?. . . Thursday, 25 June 2026
Temperature map of southwest Britain on 25.06 showing extreme heat across southern Wales and southwest England, with Bute Park in Cardiff highlighted at 34.2°C and Yeovilton at 36.4°C amid widespread deep red heat zones.
Thursday, 25 June 2026

Broken again tomorrow?

New records for England and Wales
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList