So If You Care to Find Me, Look to the Eastern Sky 

What’s Happening in the Night Sky – May Stargazing Highlights 

So If You Care to Find Me, Look to the Eastern Sky 

In conversation with Gerald and John, Chabot Resident Astronomers 

A Summer Sky Full of Wonders 

As we head toward summer, our night sky becomes a treasure trove for deep sky explorers. Around 9:30 PM, look toward the eastern part of the sky and you’ll find a mesmerizing sight: globular star clusters. These are huge objects consisting of hundreds of thousands of stars, closely packed together like a glowing ball. Each star orbits the cluster’s center, and the entire cluster orbits our galaxy. 

Ancient Star Clusters with a Mysterious Glow 

What’s truly fascinating is their age—these clusters are over 10 billion years old, formed around the time our galaxy itself was coming together. Many, perhaps most, globulars house intermediate-mass black holes at their centers. 

Despite their ancient origins, some stars in these clusters shine blue—a color typically associated with young, hot stars. In these crowded environments, stellar collisions or gas transfers between stars can “reignite” them, making them appear youthful once again. 

Galaxies in Leo and Virgo 

Also gracing the spring skies are galaxies in the Leo and Virgo constellations. These distant galaxies are best viewed through astrophotography, as they are too faint to be easily seen through a telescope alone. During this season, large clusters of galaxies can be spotted, offering a breathtaking look into the distant universe. 

Planetary Highlights in May 

Here’s what to watch for in the planetary lineup: 

• Evening Sky: Jupiter and Mars 

• Early Morning Sky: Venus, Mercury, and Saturn 

Visit Us at Chabot to Explore the Universe 

Whether you’re observing with a telescope or just enjoying the view with your eyes, this is a perfect month to connect with the cosmos. 

Chabot Space & Science Center Hours 

• Open Friday–Sunday, 10AM–5PM 

• Starting June 4, we’ll be open Wednesday through Sunday, 10AM–5PM 

• Free telescope viewings every Friday & Saturday night, 7:30–10:30PM (weather permitting) on the Chabot Observatory Deck

Join us for programs, telescope viewings, and more ways to explore the Universe and our place in it.