Astronomy Info - February

Moon Phases

Special Events

Planets 

Mercury becomes visible low along the West Southwest horizon after Sunset beginning around February 18.  It gains elevation as the month progresses and stays visible in the early evening Western sky until we lose sight of it during the third week of March, when it disappears into the glare of the setting Sun.

Venus shines brilliantly along the South-Western horizon just after Sunset this month and will remain in the early evening Western sky until the end of May when it slowly sinks into the glare of the setting Sun ready for its big event on June 5, a rare transit of Venus!  You will see Venus just below the waxing crescent Moon on the evening of February 25.  On Thursday, February 9, you can see Uranus appear very close to Venus (less than 0.4 degrees) when viewed through a telescope.

Mars rises in the East at 9:00 p.m. early in the month and around 6:00 p.m. late in the month.  Mars is located just below the right angle triangle of stars that mark the tail and hind leg of the constellation of Leo, the lion.  This month you will see Mars brightening and undergoing retrograde motion as it gets closer to its point of opposition which will occur on March 3.  As such, Mars will really begin to show its features through a good quality telescope as the distance between Mars and the Earth shortens.  Look for Mars just above the waning gibbous Moon on the night of February 10.

Jupiter is found high in the Southern sky at Sunset, setting in the West around midnight.  Jupiter is found within the constellation boundaries of Aries and it will be seen below the waxing crescent Moon on the night of February 26.  Come see Jupiter through a telescope at our Observatory on clear Friday and Saturday nights to see this planet up close!

Saturn is located in the constellation of Virgo and rises in the East around midnight local time.  It will be found halfway up the sky along the South-Southwest horizon by Sunrise.  Look for Saturn above and to the East of the waning gibbous Moon on the morning of February 12.  The bright star Spica can be seen between Saturn and the Moon on this morning.  Saturn begins its retrograde motion on February 8, with opposition occurring on April 15 this year.  This year the rings are tilted open by almost 14 degrees providing for exquisite views of the rings through a telescope.