Moon Phases
May 1 full moon is a Flower Moon and micromoon
The 1st May full moon happens on May 1. It'll look full on the nights before and after that, too. The 2nd May full moon - a Blue Moon - will fall on May 30-31.
Space
Surprise! A Jupiter-like exoplanet with water-ice clouds
A Jupiter-like exoplanet with water-ice clouds? NASA's Webb space telescope has found the 1st signs of cirrus-like clouds on exoplanet Epsilon Indi Ab.
Earth

Pyrocumulonimbus clouds are thunderheads spawned by fires

Pyrocumulonimbus clouds are fire-driven thunderstorms. The storms can produce lightning and strong winds that make the fire situation worse.
Sun

Sun news: Solar wind brings a minor geomagnetic storm

Sun news for May 1, 2026: G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm arrived. The disturbance was due to the arrival of fast solar wind.
Astronomy Essentials
Human World

Happy May Day! Today is an astronomy holiday

Happy May Day! This annual celebration has its roots in astronomy as 1 of 4 cross-quarter days. Dancing around a maypole is a traditional May Day celebration.
Human World

May birthstone: The magnificent green emerald

Happy birthday, May babies! The May birthstone is the emerald, a stone once worn by royalty in ancient Babylon and Egypt.
Astronomy Essentials

2026 Eta Aquariid meteor shower best before dawn on May 5

May's Eta Aquariid meteor shower is best in 2026 on the morning of May 5. Find a way to block the moonlight and watch in the hours before dawn.
Earth

Western US wildfires fewer, but more destructive

A look at western US wildfires over the past 30 years shows they are becoming less frequent. But fires that pop up are also larger and more damaging.
Space

Falcon rocket will hit the moon on August 5

A Falcon 9 rocket will hit the moon on August 5, 2026. How fast will it be going? Will we be able to see it? Answers and more here.
Earth

5 amazing places to see migrating birds in spring

Birding during spring migration season can be particularly rewarding. Here are 5 amazing places to see migrating birds this spring.