A Perfect New Supermoon As Dark Skies Return: The Night Sky This Week

BreakingInnovationA Perfect New Supermoon As Dark Skies Return: The Night Sky This WeekByJamie Carter,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. An award-winning reporter writing about stargazing and the night sky.Follow AuthorMay 11, 2026, 02:58am EDTToplineThis is the darkest and most rewarding week of May for stargazing. With the moon fading from the morning sky and reaching new phase over the weekend, the nights become free of moonlight — revealing a sky rich with stars. Spring constellations dominate after sunset, while the first bright stars of summer begin to rise late at night. Here’s everything you need to know about stargazing this week, May 11–17. A New Supermoon will rise this week, disappearing from the night sky entirely to mark the peak of May's darkest skies.gettyTimelineTuesday, May 12–Wednesday, May 13Look low in the east 45 minutes before sunrise for a very thin waning crescent moon, a beautiful sight to the naked eye and fabulous in binoculars. Thursday, May 14In the early hours, a 10%-lit waning crescent moon passes close to Saturn. The pairing is best seen 45 minutes before sunrise, low in the eastern sky. You’ll need a clear horizon and an early start — and perhaps a pair of binoculars — but it’s a rewarding double-act. Saturday, May 16Today sees a New Supermoon, as the moon reaches its new phase — roughly between the sun and Earth — while being relatively close to Earth. Disappearing from the night sky entirely, it marks the peak of the darkest skies of the month. It could mean high tides. Sunday, May 17After sunset, the first hint of the returning moon appears as an ultra-thin waxing crescent, just 2%-lit, very low in the western sky. Spotting it requires perfect timing and an unobstructed horizon. if (!window.cnxel) { window.cnxel = {}; window.cnxel.cmd = []; var iframe = document.createElement('iframe'); iframe.style.display = 'none'; iframe.onload = function() { var iframeDoc = iframe.con...