THE SOUTHWORTH PLANETARIUM
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43.6667° N    70.2667° W  Altitude:  10 feet below sea level Founded
January 1970
2021-2022: LXXIX
                      "Ending a sentence with a preposition is something up
with which I will not put."           -Winston Churchill


THE DAILY ASTRONOMER Monday, February 7, 2022
February 2022 Night Sky Calendar Part III

*WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16: MERCURY AT GREATEST WESTERN ELONGATION*
Today, Mercury extends itself as far from the Sun as possible during this
orbit (26 degrees). When at western elongation, an inferior planet will be
visible in the eastern pre-dawn sky. Conversely, when at eastern
elongation, an inferior planet will be over in the western evening sky.
This is the most favorable time of the month to find Mercury.

*WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16: MOON NEAR REGULUS*

[image: Leo-constellation-Derekscope-e1618236661588.png]

Tonight one will see the full moon near Regulus, the brightest star in Leo
the Lion.    Regulus ("little king") marks the Lion's heart and the
southern point of Leo's "sickle" asterism.   Regulus will appear as a
bright point just south of the moon.

*SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20:   MOON NEAR SPICA*
Tonight we'll see the waning gibbous moon (82% illuminated) near Spica, the
brightest star in Virgo the Maiden.    These lunar appulses often help
observers identify some of the night sky's most prominent stars.      Find
the moon just to the north of Spica this evening.     Both the moon and
Spica will rise by 10 p.m.

*WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23: LAST QUARTER MOON*

*THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24:  MOON NEAR ANTARES*
We'll find the waning crescent moon (46% illuminated) just north of
Antares, the alpha star in Scorpius the Scorpion.   Antares is the red
supergiant star marking the scorpion's heart.    Antares is the one of the
few stars that exhibits a reddish color.  (Betelgeuse is another.)  Despite
Antares'  considerable distance of 550 light years, we can detect this
color because Antares is so large.  Approximately 330 million Suns could
fit inside it.
[image: scorpius_antares-e1341173408749 (1).jpeg]
Antares marks Scorpius the Scorpion's heart.

*SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27:   MOON NEAR VENUS AND MARS (GOLD EVENT!!!)*
In the planet watch section -spoiler alert- we advise subscribers to
venture out early at least one day this month to see Venus.   In fact, we
might suggest you go out this morning to see the crescent moon (16%
illuminated) passing just south of Mars, which, itself, is just south of
Venus!    A drop-dead, heart-wrenching, soul-elevating, poetry-inspiring,
Greek-war-precipitating gorgeous sight!

*MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28:     MOON NEAR MERCURY (SILVER EVENT!!)*
Although not quite as hype-worthy as yesterday's event, the Moon-Mercury
appulse is still a delight, albeit quite a low one.  The thin, waning
crescent moon (8% illuminated) and the first planet will rise by 5:40 a.m.



PLANET WATCH

* MERCURY*
*Host constellations: Sagittarius (early t0 mid Feb); Capricornus (late
Feb)*
One will find Mercury in the early morning eastern sky during the first
part of the month. It reaches maximum elongation on February 16th. VERDICT:
Best to seek out the elusive first world mid-month around the time of its
elongation. However, feel free to find it throughout the entire month.

*VENUS (PICK PLANET!) *
*Host constellation: Sagittarius*
Yes, this spectacular planet is currently visible in the eastern -pre-dawn
sky. However, what a spectacle this spectacular planet has become! See our
infernally hot and beguilingly beautiful sister world before dawn this
month. Venus attains its maximum brightness on February 9th. VERDICT: Hoist
yourself out of that wonderfully warm bed at least once this month to see
Venus. It's well worth the sleep deprivation!

*MARS*
*Host constellation: Sagittarius*
All the "terrestrial planets," are gathered together in the morning sky. At
magnitude 1.4, Mars is the dimmest of the three. VERDICT: If you're up
admiring Venus, you might as well spare a passing glance for Mars despite
its utter lack of brilliance. However, keep your eye on Mars throughout the
year as it draws close to Earth and brightens. Reminder: Mars reaches
opposition on December 8th.

*JUPITER*
*Host constellation: Aquarius*
The giant planet lurks low in the western evening sky during the first half
of February and then vanishes altogether during the second half. Jupiter
will be at solar conjunction on March 5th. VERDICT: Look for Jupiter early
this month and then abandon the search after mid month. Jupiter will return
to the early morning spring sky and rise to prominence again in the summer.

*SATURN*
*Host constellation: Capricornus*
Saturn is not visible this month. It will pass into solar conjunction on
February 4 and then will return to the early morning sky in March. VERDICT:
Well......


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