Best Astrophotography Dates in May 2025: Night Sky Calendar
- Ryan Oswald
- Apr 29
- 3 min read
When to Shoot the Milky Way, Moon and Meteor Showers in May 2025
Your go to guide for astrophotography this month. See key dates, moon phases and the best times to shoot the Milky Way and meteor showers.
Top Astrophotography Nights – May 2025
Best Milky Way: May 1, 22–31
Meteor Shower Peak: May 4–6 (Aquariids)
🌕 Full Moon: May 12 | 🌑 New Moon: May 26
AQUARIID METEOR SHOWER
Peak Night: May 4-6
Active Window: April 19-May 28
Best Time to Shoot: 3:00am to pre-dawn
Expected Rate: ~10–50 meteors per hour
FULL FLOWER MOON
Peak Night: May 12
Best Time to Shoot: After Sunset on May 12
Direction in Sky: Rising in South East
DAYS YOU CAN SHOOT THE MILKY WAY THIS MONTH
17
May 1st & May 22nd -31st are the ideal nights with the darkest skies for longest time period.
May 2nd-4th & May 19th-21st may have 2 hours of dark enough skies, but you're battling the moon these nights.
MILKY WAY CORE VISIBILITY
MILKY WAY RISE | MILKY WAY RISE | 10:00PM |
MILKY WAY SET | MILKY WAY SET | 4:00AM |
DIRECTION | DIRECTION | SE → SW |
*APPROXIMATE MILKY WAY INFO (BASED ON MOAB LOCATION)
MOON PHASES
FULL MOON
MAY 12
NEW MOON
MAY 26
TIPS & GUIDES
Want better meteor shots? Check out our Meteor Shower Shooting Guide
Join our Utah Milky Way Photography Workshops!
If you’ve ever wanted to master astrophotography...this is it.
Escalante Deep Space Astrophotography Workshop: May 21–25, 2025
Timed around the new moon, this is our most astro heavy workshop. Built for those who want to chase deep space compositions and capture the Milky Way like never before.
Utah Badlands Astrophotography Workshop: May 27–31, 2025
Our all-time favorite locations under the darkest skies we have ever seen.
WANT MONTHLY ALERTS LIKE THIS? JOIN THE NIGHT SKY WATCH LIST.
SHARE YOUR SHTOS WITH THE GUILD
Join the Image Guild Discord to swap shots, get feedback, and talk gear and settings with photographers across the country. We’d love to feature your Lyrid or Milky Way photos in next month’s Sky Watch.
FAQ: Astrophotography in May 2025
What nights are best to shoot the Milky Way in May 2025?
The best nights to photograph the Milky Way in May 2025 are May 1 and May 22–31, when moonlight won’t interfere with dark skies. These dates offer the clearest view of the galactic core from 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM
How can I photograph the Aquariid Meteor Shower?
The Aquariid Meteor Shower peaks May 4–6, with the best viewing between 3:00 AM and dawn. Use a wide-angle lens, high ISO (6400+), and a 10-20 second shutter to capture meteors. Shooting under dark skies with minimal moonlight will increase your chances of catching 10–50 meteors per hour.
When is the full moon and how does it affect night sky photography?
The full moon occurs on May 12, rising in the southeast. While it provides stunning opportunities for moonrise photography, it also washes out the night sky, making it harder to capture stars, the Milky Way, or meteors. Plan Milky Way shoots for dates outside the full moon window.
What direction does the Milky Way rise in May?
In May, the Milky Way rises in the southeast around 10:00 PM and sets in the southwest by 4:00 AM. To shoot the core, face SE → SW during those hours. Foreground interest (arches, trees, mountains) helps enhance your night compositions.
Coming Up in June…
June Bootids Meteor Shower
Daytime Arietids Meteor Shower
Lots of Milky Way Nights
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