What’s In The Night Sky - February 2024
February 1, 01:04 – Spica 1.7°S of Moon
On this date and time, the bright star Spica will appear about 1.7 degrees south of the Moon in the night sky. Spica is the brightest star in the constellation Virgo and forms a prominent celestial pair with the planet Jupiter. This conjunction between the Moon and Spica will create a beautiful celestial sight for stargazers.
February 2, 11:00 – Mercury at Aphelion
Aphelion is the point in Mercury’s orbit where it is farthest from the Sun. On this date, Mercury will reach its aphelion, and it will be at its maximum distance from the Sun. This event has an impact on Mercury’s orbital speed, which is slower at aphelion than at perihelion (the closest point to the Sun).
February 2, 17:18 – Last Quarter Moon
The Last Quarter Moon is the third and final quarter phase of the Moon during its monthly cycle. At this point, the Moon appears half-illuminated, with the left half visible from the Northern Hemisphere and the right half visible from the Southern Hemisphere.
February 4, 18:15 – Antares 0.6°S of Moon
Antares, a red supergiant star in the constellation Scorpius, will be located about 0.6 degrees south of the Moon on this date and time. The bright reddish hue of Antares makes it easily distinguishable from other stars in the night sky.
February 8, 00:30 – Mars 4.2°N of Moon
The red planet Mars will be positioned about 4.2 degrees north of the Moon on this date and time. Observers will be able to see the Moon and Mars in close proximity, making for a striking celestial pairing.
February 8, 22:00 – The Alpha Centaurids meteor shower
The α-Centaurid meteor shower is a minor annual meteor shower that is active from January 28 to February 21 every year. Its peak is usually around February 8th.
February 9, 16:59 – New Moon
The New Moon is the beginning of the lunar cycle when the Moon is not visible from Earth. It occurs when the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun. Since the illuminated side of the Moon is facing away from us, the night sky will be especially dark, making it an excellent time for stargazing without moonlight interference.
February 10, 12:49 – Moon at Perigee: 358,088 km
Perigee is the point in the Moon’s orbit where it is closest to Earth. On this date, the Moon will be at its closest distance to our planet, approximately 358,088 kilometers away. This event is often referred to as a “Supermoon” when it coincides with a Full Moon.
February 10, 18:37 – Saturn 1.8°N of Moon
Saturn, the ringed planet, will be situated about 1.8 degrees north of the Moon on this date and time. Observers will have a chance to witness the Moon and Saturn appearing in close proximity in the night sky.
February 13, 11:01 – Moon at Ascending Node
The Moon’s orbit is slightly tilted relative to the plane of the Earth’s orbit around the Sun. The ascending node is the point where the Moon’s path intersects with the ecliptic (the plane of Earth’s orbit), moving from the southern to the northern hemisphere.
February 15, 02:15 – Jupiter 3.2°S of Moon
Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, will be about 3.2 degrees south of the Moon on this date and time. It will be a wonderful sight to observe these two prominent celestial objects in the same part of the sky.
February 16, 09:01 – First Quarter Moon
The First Quarter Moon marks the halfway point between the New Moon and the Full Moon. It appears as a half-illuminated Moon and is visible in the afternoon and evening sky.
February 16, 13:13 – Pleiades 0.6°N of Moon
The Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters or Messier 45, is a beautiful open star cluster in the constellation Taurus. On this date and time, the Pleiades will be located about 0.6 degrees north of the Moon, creating a stunning visual conjunction.
February 20, 18:54 – Pollux 1.6°N of Moon
Pollux, one of the brightest stars in the constellation Gemini, will be situated about 1.6 degrees north of the Moon on this date and time. The pairing of the Moon and Pollux will be an attractive sight in the night sky.
February 22, 03:00 – Venus 0.6°N of Mars
Venus and Mars will be in planetary conjunction on this date and time, with Venus appearing about 0.6 degrees north of Mars. Conjunctions occur when two celestial objects appear close together in the sky, creating an eye-catching event for observers.
February 23, 16:45 – Regulus 3.6°S of Moon
Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo, will be located about 3.6 degrees south of the Moon on this date and time. Regulus is a blue-white star and is easily identifiable in the night sky.
February 24, 06:30 – Full Moon
The Full Moon is the lunar phase when the entire face of the Moon is illuminated by the Sun and appears as a bright, full disk in the night sky. It is a spectacular sight and often referred to by specific names in various cultures.
February 25, 09:00 – Moon at Apogee: 406,316 km
Apogee is the point in the Moon’s orbit where it is farthest from Earth. On this date, the Moon will be at its greatest distance from our planet, approximately 406,316 kilometers away.
February 27, 16:53 – Moon at Descending Node
Similar to the ascending node, the descending node is the point where the Moon’s path intersects with the ecliptic, moving from the northern to the southern hemisphere.
February 28, 02:00 – Mercury at Superior Conjunction
Superior conjunction occurs when Mercury is on the opposite side of the Sun as seen from Earth. During this event, Mercury is not visible from Earth’s vantage point, as it is lost in the Sun’s glare.
February 28, 07:40 – Spica 1.5°S of Moon
Spica, the bright star in the constellation Virgo, will be situated about 1.5 degrees south of the Moon on this date and time, providing a splendid celestial sight.
February 28, 15:00 – Saturn in Conjunction with Sun
Saturn will be in conjunction with the Sun on this date, which means it will be positioned close to the Sun in the sky
