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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

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.  

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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