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Founded January 1970
Julian Date: 2459249.18
2020-2021: LXXXII
THE DAILY ASTRONOMER
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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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