Dark Window

Go / no go for deep sky

What to photograph in May

9 deep-sky targets are at their best in May, meaning they cross the middle of the sky around midnight, plus 60 more that are still well placed in the evening or before dawn. Good first picks: M5, M10, Hercules Cluster.

Lists are written for around 35°N, like the southern United States, southern Europe or Japan. The months work for both hemispheres, but southern observers will find northern targets low and southern ones high: each target page shows how high it climbs from your latitude. The best nights are around the new Moon, so check the dark sky calendar.

At their best in May

Also well placed

Past or approaching their peak, so higher in the evening or before dawn.

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