THE SOUTHWORTH PLANETARIUM

207-780-4249   www.usm.maine.edu/planet

70 Falmouth Street   Portland, Maine 04103

43.6667° N                   70.2667° W 

Altitude:  10 feet below sea level

Founded January 1970
Julian Date: 245882.16

2019-2020:  XCVII

THE DAILY ASTRONOMER
Monday, February 3, 2020

February 2020 Night Sky Calendar

Part I

February 2020's night sky calendar will prove to be another mix of mostly moon related celestial events.     We know that so much transpires each night that we could devote a hundred pages to a single evening. However, these calendars are intended for casual as well as more devoted observers.   Consequently, we want to include those events that are interesting and easily observable.   At times we must focus on the moon, the easiest celestial object to observe.

This first part will be far more brief than the one to follow tomorrow.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2:   IMBOLC/GROUNDHOG'S DAY/FIRST CROSS QUARTER DAY

Did (Pennsylvania city name that is impossible to spell correctly) Phil see his shadow?   Well, we're not sure.  All we know is that today is Groundhog's Day, also known more solemnly as "Imbolc."  Astronomically. Feb 2 is the year's first Cross Quarter Day, defined as the day midway between successive seasonal points.     Feb 2nd is the CQ day between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox.  The next one is the verdant and gorgeous May Day  or Beltane (May 1), the CQ day between the vernal equinox and summer solstice.  The Third, and least well known in the US, is Lammas on August 1, which marks the midway point between the summer solstice and the autumnal equinox.  Finally, the fourth is Halloween os Samhain, on October 31st, the mid point between the autumnal equinox and winter solstice.    

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2:  FIRST QUARTER MOON

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9:   FULL MOON

The appropriately named full SNOW moon occurs at 2:33 a.m. on Sunday morning. One would be well advised to seek  it out the night before when it will rise around sunset.       The February full moon is also known as the "ice moon," and the "planting moon" by people who live in warmer regions.

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