Venus and Jupiter are the best planets to see in the night sky throughout May 2026, the pair appearing like two bright stars in the evening twilight, just after sunset.
Unfortunately, the other planets of the Solar System aren't as accommodating in May.
Uranus is in solar conjunction, which means it's passing behind the Sun, from Earth’s perspective.
Mercury will get better towards the end of May 2026, and Venus is improving throughout the month, too.
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Venus is setting later after sunset with each passing evening. Jupiter is also high in the sky and best seen at the start of the month.
However, Venus and Jupiter are closing in on each other, and will have a close encounter on 9 June 2026.
For more info, read our guide to observing Venus and Jupiter in May 2026.
Here's our quick guide to observing the planets this month.
Mercury
- Best time to see: 31 May, from 40 minutes after sunset
- Altitude: 7.5º (low) Location: Taurus
- Direction: Northwest
Mercury is a morning planet at the start of May, but is unlikely to be seen. Superior conjunction occurs on 14 May when the planet, on the far side of its orbit, lines up with the position of the Sun. After this, Mercury makes a strong return to the evening sky.
On 20 May, sunset is at 21:10 BST (20:10 UT) and Mercury sets 50 minutes later at 22:00 BST (21:00 UT). The planet will be at mag. –1.5 at this time, but twilight may make finding it tricky, possibly being visible 30 minutes after sunset, very low above the northwest horizon.
A better bet will be at the end of May, when Mercury sets one hour 50 minutes after the Sun. Although its magnitude will have dropped to –0.5 on this date, it will be higher against a darker sky. Spotting Mercury in twilight can be difficult if you’ve never attempted it before, but it’s worth persevering because once you recognise how the planet looks, you’ll find it much easier next time.
Venus
- Best time to see: 31 May, from 30 minutes after sunset
- Altitude: 18º
- Location: Gemini
- Direction: West-northwest
Venus is reasonably well placed throughout May, a brilliant mag. –3.8 planet visible 20–30 minutes after sunset at the start of the month when it sets just shy of three hours after the Sun. The lowering of the ecliptic’s horizon angle tends to keep this offset fairly constant for the rest of the month, mag. –3.9 Venus setting two hours 50 minutes after the Sun on 31 May. On 18 May around 23:00 BST (22:00 UT), Venus appear 3.3° southeast of a 6%-lit waxing Moon. On the evening of 20 May, the planet appears 45 arcminutes to the north of Messier 35, but this meeting will only be visible under darkening twilight.
On the evening of 27 May, Venus appears really close to mag. +3.0 Mebsuta (Epsilon (ε) Geminorum), sitting just 20 arcminutes from the star at 23:00 BST (22:00 UT). Of course, the big meeting is going to be on 9 June, when Venus and Jupiter appear very close together, their convergence being really noticeable throughout May.
Mars
Mars is a morning planet that’s slowly crawling out of the dawn twilight, but is currently not well placed.
Jupiter
- Best time to see: 1 May, from 22:00 BST (21:00 UT)
- Altitude: 35°
- Location: Gemini
- Direction: West
- Features: Complex, banded atmosphere, four largest moons
- Recommended equipment: 70mm or larger
Saturn
- Best time to see: 31 May, 04:00 BST (03:00 UT)
- Altitude: 7º (low)
- Location: Cetus
- Direction: East
Saturn is a morning planet in Cetus, but appears low as sunrise approaches. A waning crescent Moon skirts by on the mornings of 13 and 14 May. Saturn currently shines at mag. +0.8.
Uranus
Uranus is currently too close to the Sun to be seen properly, with solar conjunction occurring on 22 May.
Neptune
Not visible this month.
