Above Oregon / Washington Coast in May: Meteors Peak, Galaxy Disappears - and Maybe a Nova

Published 05/04/25 at 7:25 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Astoria, Oregon) – Meteor showers, some planetary action, the rest of the galaxy goes missing, and maybe even a nova. Sounds like an episode of something sci-fi? Nope. This is actually what's happening in May in skies above the Earth – as well as the Pacific Northwest. (Above: Manzanita with movement of the moon and bright stars / Oregon Coast Beach Connection)

If skies are clear on the Oregon coast or Washington coastline, you could well get an eyeful after dark.

The Eta Aquarid meteor showers peak this week, according to NASA. May 5 and 6 (and three days either side) are when you may see the most of them, perhaps 10 to 20 per hour. The moon is getting in the way a little, so true nighthawks are going to have a better shot with the moon setting around 3 a.m.

“Seeing 10-20 meteors per hour is common for the Northern Hemisphere,” NASA said in a press release.

How to see these meteors? It's not unlike trying to catch sight of whales on the Oregon coast: stare out into the void and bring your patience. Also like whale watching, you'll want to be somewhere outside of the city, although some dark urban spots may work to some degree.

Oregon Coast Beach Connection photo: meteor in the Coast Range

As a sidenote: Oregon Coast Beach Connection has not seen any – and we've been watching the skies. There have been a lot of satellite and ISS sightings, however.

There will be some other bright spots in the skies throughout May, which you'll easily notice above the ocean at areas like Port Orford, Bandon, Seaside, Westport or Lincoln City.

“The planets to look for on May evenings are Mars and Jupiter,” NASA said. “They're visible for a couple of hours after sunset in the western sky.”

Courtesy NASA

Then, for the coups de gras – at least for some exoplanets out there - we may finally get to see a star explode. It's going to take place in the Corona Borealis constellation in the eastern part of the sky, as one star in a binary system explodes with immense force. A nova is what that's called (not quite a supernova), and scientists have been expecting it any day now for months.

“Some 3,000 light years away is a binary star system called T Coronae Borealis, or 'T CrB.' It consists of a red giant star with a smaller white dwarf star orbiting closely around it,” NASA said. “Now the giant’s outer atmosphere is all puffed up, and the dwarf star is close enough that its gravity continually captures some of the giant’s hydrogen. About every 80 years, the white dwarf has accumulated so much of the other star’s hydrogen, that it ignites a thermonuclear explosion.”

It will only flare in brightness for a few days, and it may not happen for months. Of course, Oregon and Washington spots like Tacoma, Ashland, Newport or Manzanita are dependent on clear skies.

The last one was in 1946.

Oregon Coast Hotels for this event - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours

If you're anywhere in the Northwest – especially Oregon's famed Dark Sky areas – you may notice the galaxy is missing. The Milky Way vanishes from the night skies in May, according to OMSI astronomy expert Jim Todd in Portland.

“On May evenings, the disk of our Milky Way galaxy lies flat, nearly parallel to the plane of your horizon,” Todd said.

Bandon and the galaxy - photo Manuela Durson - Manuela Durson Fine Arts

This is part of what is called the “galactic plane:” most of the mass of the gigantic disk-shaped object lies there. It disappears as it circles the horizon in May – or at least it appears to do so for us.

In reality, it's Earth moving around.

SEE - Washington Coast Weather - Oregon Coast Weather  - Inland Oregon Weather

“As seen from the North Galactic Pole, the Sun and the solar system revolve clockwise around the center or nucleus of the Milky Way Galaxy,” Todd said.

Those photographing Washington or Oregon coastlines at night will get a slightly different view than usual.

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random, hit reload to see different articles)

Five-Course Dinner in Astoria Inspired By Historical Oregon Coast Culinary Fi...
5 Nov 2026 at 7:30pm
Nov 14 at Fort George Brewery, you get to experience one of Oregon's black pioneers. Astoria events

First Serious Freeze and Frost Possible Tonight, Friday for Oregon, Washington
22 Oct 2026 at 8:56pm
Temps in the 30s and 20s in Metro, SW Washington, Gorge, Coast. Weather

Yachats Mushroom Treasure Hunt Back for Winter: Little Glass Shroomies on Ore...
26 Oct 2026 at 9:49pm
Now through February: find the discs that get you the artsy pieces

October Vacation Rental Deals in Lincoln City - Central Oregon Coast. A1 Beac...
2 Oct 2026 at 8:05am
Some rates lower than most motels. Lincoln City

A Sunny, Warm Week on Oregon Coast, Highs 70s - 80s Some Areas
30 Sep 2026 at 3:31am
South coast in 70s to 80s at times. Dry at least a week in NW Oregon / SW Washington. Weather

Sneaker Waves Along South Oregon Coast Through Monday, Some Up North
1 Nov 2026 at 8:37pm
Timing between swells 21 seconds at one point. Weather, storm, safety

Above Oregon, Washington and Coast: Saturn Gets Super Bright Over Weekend
2 Oct 2026 at 8:06am
Saturn in opposition but also an interstellar whale involved. Astronomy, weather

56 Years: Annual Exploding Whale Celebration Again Blows Up In Oregon Coast Town
29 Oct 2026 at 9:25pm
November 14-15 around Florence, including the original reporter. Exploding Whale Park, Old Town Florence

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright © Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted