THE SOUTHWORTH PLANETARIUM
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43.6667° N                   70.2667° W
Altitude:  10 feet below sea level
Founded January 1970
Julian Date:  2459249.18
2020-2021:  LXXXII


THE DAILY ASTRONOMER
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
February 2021 Night Sky Calendar Part II


*THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18 **:    MOON NEAR MARS*
One will see the waxing crescent moon (40% illuminated)  close to Mars
tonight.. At magnitude 0.5, Mars shines as brightly as Betelgeuse, Orion's
eastern shoulder star.    Both Mars and the moon occupy a region between
the constellations Taurus the Bull and Gemini the Twins.

[image: skychart.png]

*FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19:  FIRST QUARTER MOON*

*SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20: MOON NEAR ALDEBARAN*
Earlier this month, we saw the moon appear to move close to Spica one
night and then a few nights later, Antares.  Tonight, the moon draws near
Aldebaran.    We know that four bright stars are positioned close to the
ecliptic, the Sun's annual path through the sky.     Those stars are Spica,
Antares, Aldebaran and Regulus.

*TUESDAY. FEBRUARY 23:   MERCURY 4.1 DEGREES SE OF SATURN*
*(GOLD EVENT!!!)*
Saturn and Mercury have returned to the morning sky.    See them both
against the pre-dawn twilight.     Although both planets will appear
equally bright,  Saturn will be south of Mercury.   Just remember that
Mercury is the "higher" of the two worlds.  Both Mercury and Saturn will
rise before 5:30 a.m.

*TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23:   MOON NEAR CASTOR AND POLLUX*
[image: skychart (1).png]
Tonight observers will see the gibbous moon (86% illuminated) close to
Castor and Pollux, the two brightest stars within the Gemini
constellation.

*FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26: MOON NEAR REGULUS*
[image: skychart (2).png]

Well, we certainly expected this event to happen.    The nearly full moon
(99% illuminated) appears to move by Regulus, the alpha star in Leo the
Lion.    That passage completes the lunar tour of the four brightest
stars.

*SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27:  FULL MOON (BRONZE EVENT!)*
One should hardly be surprised to discover that February's full moon is
often called the "Snow Moon." After all, in February the land is covered in
shrouds of snow. February's full moon is also known as the "Hunger Moon,"
for game is scarce and ravenous night hunters would need that bright lunar
illumination to find much needed prey. Today, we know that the full moon's
reflection on the snowfields makes a winter's night luminous with a
crystalline lustre. Perfect conditions for a walk, if one is inclined to
wander outside to enjoy winter's
unsounded deeps.


PLANET WATCH

*MERCURY*
       Mercury vanishes at month's beginning, but emerges into the morning
sky by month's end.      *VERDICT:*   Start looking for Mercury by the
third week of February.    Best day to observe is February 23rd, when
Mercury will appear close to Saturn in the pre-dawn eastern sky.

*VENUS*
      Venus rises later each morning and by month's end will be exceedingly
difficult to observe.     Although Venus will always be the brightest
planet,  it isn't the month's pick planet due to its unfavorable position.
  *VERDICT: *If you want to find Venus, venture out early in the month.
 The best time to seek out the second planet will be around 6:45 - 7:00 a.m.


*MARS (PICK PLANET!)      *Mars has the evening stage to itself.    Jupiter
isn't visible for most of February. The other planets will congregate in
the eastern pre-dawn sky.   Mars is high in the eastrn sky after sunset and
will be setting after midnight.  VERDICT:    Even casual observers will
have no trouble finding Mars tonight.  Venture outside soon after dark and
look high in the east.

*JUPITER*
        Jupiter is not visible for most of the month.  By month's end,
Jupiter will emerge in the early morning eastern sky

*SATURN*
          Saturn returns to the early morning sky by the third week of
February.  VERDICT:  Venture out after 6:30 a.m. to find it.    Special
note:  On the 23rd, it will appear close to Mercury.






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