* Astronomy

Mercury: at magnitude -0.1, starts the month in the constellation of Pisces. Mercury in superior conjunction on the 27th. Mercury is at Perihelion on the 29th May, 2012. 
(On May 1st, )

Venus: is at magnitude -4.5.  The planet is in constellation Taurus at the start of the month. It is best seen from 5.2h - 0.4h. Venus is 5South of the Moon on the 22nd. 
(On May 1st, RA= 5h15m10s  Dec=+27°44.8' (J2000) Distance=0.446AU    Diameter=37.4")

Earth: Annular solar eclipse on the 20th. The path of annularity starts in southern China and moves eastward over Japan, the northern Pacific Ocean, and to the western United States. 

The Moon:  Full moon (diameter 33.476') in the constellation Libra at 3:35.1 UT, 6th May.  Lunar perigee (distance 358306.0 km, apparent diameter: 34'05.2") at 03:40.1 UT, 6th May.  Last Quarter Moon at 21:46.7 UT, 12th May.  
New Moon and annular solar eclipse (diameter: 29.443') at 23:47.0 UT, 20th May.  Lunar Apogee (distance 406438.8 km, apparent diameter: 29'52.2") at 16:28.4 UT, 19th May.  First Quarter Moon at 20:16.0 UT, 28th May, 2012. 

Mars: at magnitude -0.0 starts the month in the constellation Leo. Mars is 7° South of the Moon on the 29th.  
(On May 1st, RA=10h30m56s  Dec=+11°33.6' (J2000) Distance=0.943AU  Diameter=9.9")

Jupiter: is in the constellation Aries. At magnitude -2.0, the planet is best seen from 20.2h -20.6h. Jupiter is in conjunction with Sun on the 13th.
Transit times of the Great Red Spot are posted in a seprate thread.
(On May 1st, RA= 3h12m04s  Dec=+17°01.0' (J2000) Distance=5.991AU  Diameter=32.9")

Saturn: at magnitude 0.3 sits in the constellation Virgo. The planet is best seen from 20.2h - 4.0h. Saturn is 6° South of the Moon on the 4th. Saturn was at opposition on the 15th April.
(On May 1st, RA=13h36m09s  Dec= -7°03.2' (J2000) Distance=8.755AU   Diameter=18.9")

Uranus: is in the constellation Pisces. Uranus at magnitude 5.9, has a bluish-green hue and appears 3.3 arcseconds wide.  Uranus was in conjunction on the 24th March, 2012. The planet is unobservable this month. Mercury is close to Uranus (2.0° separated from center of Uranus) on the 22nd April, 2012.
(On March 1st, RA= 0h12m19s  Dec= +0°34.7' (J2000) Distance=20.991AU  Diameter=3.3")

Neptune: is at magnitude 7.9 in the constellation Aquarius. The planet is best seen the morning sky. Neptune was in conjunction on the 19th February, 2012.
(On December 1st, RA=22h01m53s Dec=-12°38.9' (J2000) Distance=30.174AU Elongation= 79° Diameter=2.2")

Pluto: is in the constellation Sagittarius (mag 14.0). Normally, a finder chart is necessary to help in identifying the 0.1" diameter dwarf planet. The dwarf planet is best seen from 22.6h - 1.7h.  Pluto was stationary on the 10th April. 
(On May 1st, RA=18h39m14s  Dec=-19°13.3' (J2000) Distance=31.684AU  Diameter=0.1")

The Sun enters the zodiac sign of Gemini at 15:16 UT on the 20th May, 2012.