Earlier Japanese scouting before the Battle of the Coral Sea

What if Hara and Takagi sent scouts against doctrine on the afternoon of 6 May 1942 before the Battle of the Coral Sea?

They might find Task Force 17, but night operations and reciprocal detection make the result uncertain; both sides could strike, miss, or expose themselves.

If Japanese scouts find the American carriers late on 6 May, the timing creates an immediate problem. The Japanese must launch quickly before dark or wait and try to relocate Task Force 17 after both forces have moved overnight. Their limited night-flying capability makes a late strike difficult to recover safely. The search itself can also reveal the Japanese position if American aircraft spot or follow the scouts. Earlier reconnaissance therefore creates possibilities ranging from mutual strikes to both sides searching empty sea, not a guaranteed Japanese knockout blow.