The May night sky

Mars stands at its brightest and closest at opposition in May but sadly hovers low down in the S sky as Britain's nights dwindle in length and become dogged by twilight. The astronomical highlight of the month, though, can only be observed in bright sunlight. When the innermost planet Mercury slides around the near side of its orbit on 9 May, its silhouette appears as a miniature inky dot against the dazzling face of the Sun.