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70 Falmouth Street Portland, Maine 04103
43.6667° N 70.2667° W
Altitude: 10 feet below sea level
Founded January 1970
Julian Date: 2459247.18
2020-2021: LXXXI
THE DAILY ASTRONOMER
Monday, February 1, 2021
Monday, February 1, 2021
February 2021 Night Sky Calendar
The last full month of winter has begun. Of course, astronomically, there are only two such months. Although February is the year's shortest month, it seems interminable for those sensible souls who detest bone-cracking cold. Despite the frigidity, one can still enjoy the many celestial sights high above us, hence the night sky calendar. Each calendar includes many astronomical highlights: events that might interest even the casual observer. Due to the content amount -and associated graphics- we divide this calendar into two parts, the second of which we'll post tomorrow.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2: GROUNDHOG'S DAY (IMBOLC)
The year's first cross-quarter day! A cross quarter day is one that occurs almost directly in the middle of a season. Groundhog's Day occurs between the winter solstice and vernal equinox. According to American folklore, if the famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow on Feb 2, there will be six more weeks of winter. If he doesn't see his shadow, spring will arrive early. Although the Stormfax Almanac states that Phil has been correct about 40% of the time since 1877, much to the chagrin of the Punxsutawney Groundhog's Club.
The other cross-quarter days are:
- May 1: May Day/Beltane. The cross-quarter day between the vernal equinox and summer solstice.
- August 1: Lammas The cross-quarter day between the summer solstice and autumnal equinox
- October 31: Halloween/Samhain. The cross-quarter day between the autumnal equinox and winter
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3: GIBBOUS MOON NEAR SPICA
Tonight we'll see the gibbous moon (61% illuminated) near Spica, the brightest star in Virgo the Maiden. Four very bright stars - Aldebaran (Taurus) , Antares (Scorpius), Regulus (Leo) and Spica (Virgo)- are positioned close to the ecliptic. Consequently, the moon and planets will appear to pass close to them. At times, the moon -and much less frequently, planets- will occult these stars. The moon will rise at 11:57 p.m. this evening in Portland.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4: LAST QUARTER MOON
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6: MOON NEAR ANTARES
Earlier this month, the moon appeared to pass close to Spica. Tonight, one will find the crescent moon (29% illuminated) close to Antares, the brightest star in Scorpius the Scorpion. The moon rises today at 2:27 a.m.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8: MERCURY AT INFERIOR CONJUNCTION
Today, the first world passes between the Sun and Earth. (Mercury moves to the far side of the Sun when it reaches superior conjunction.)
Today, the first world passes between the Sun and Earth. (Mercury moves to the far side of the Sun when it reaches superior conjunction.)
Only the inferior planets, those closer to the Sun than Earth, can ever pass into inferior conjunction. All the planets, inferior and superior, can pass into superior conjunction.
WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 10: MOON, VENUS AND SATURN WITHIN A CIRCLE 5.2 DEGREES IN DIAMETER (SILVER EVENT!!)
Fair warning: this event will be difficult to observe. The moon, Venus and Saturn will rise less than half an hour before the sun and so all bodies will be nearly lost in the intensifying pre-dawn twilight. One could almost consider this to be an "academic event," interesting, but not observable.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11: NEW MOON
Beginning of lunation cycle 1214.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13: LOOK FOR EARTHSHINE
Have you ever noticed that when the moon is a thin crescent, the entire moon is visible? One can see the entire moon at this phase because of Earthshine: the reflection of Earth's reflected light off the moon and back to Earth-bound observers.
Earthshine is only visible when the moon is less than 11% illuminated, or about 3 -4 days after the moon is new. While moon watching is difficult one day after the new moon, the moon will generally be visible on the second day. See the thin waxing crescent moon tonight in the western evening sky.
Part II tomorrow
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