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• Create Date 30 April 2026
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BASIL May 2026

The front cover shows an image of galaxy NGC5907 containing the recently discovered Supernova 2026kid, taken in Bristol with a Seestar S50 smart telescope.  SN 2026kid can clearly be seen in the galaxy image.

Monthly observing opportunities

• 1 May: A Ganymede shadow transit on Jupiter.
• 23 May: The Lunar X and V clair-obscur effects are visible.
• Venus and Jupiter are visible during May.
• Observe the 'Flower Moon' and the Lunar Apennines - best observed around the First Quarter (5 to 10 days old Moon).
• 21 DSO observing targets are listed for the month.
• Constellation of the month is Virgo, with the amazing Virgo Galaxy Cluster.

Members' Images this month

• Jupiter studies by Jane Clark.
• Gas clouds and the Leo Triplet of Galaxies, by Andrew Grasemann.
• Redshift > 5 Club, by Chris Lee.

Observing projects for members

• SN 2026kid in NGC5907 - p32.
• Plato's Hook - p33 (see members' images of the Plato crater - can you see the Hook?)

The BAS programme of meetings for 2026 can be found on p34.