The Visible Planets
Mercury reappears above the western horizon starting around February 12, and gains some elevation over the next few days, appearing at its greatest elongation east of the Sun on February 19. On February 19, look for Mercury just to the right of the waxing crescent Moon above the western horizon after sunset! This night provides a great opportunity to see Mercury easily. By February 25 Mercury begins to sink back into the Sun’s setting glow, however binoculars will help in still seeing this planet before it disappears from view.
Venus begins its climb back into our western sky after sunset around February 24. Look for Venus gaining elevation in the final week of February for its very favourable evening outing in our western sky until September 2026! Look to the right of Venus for the much dimmer planet Mercury on the night of February 28.
Mars is not visible this month as it is too close to the Sun.
Jupiter is seen shining brightly in the eastern sky after sunset this month. Seen amongst the stars of Gemini, the twins, Jupiter gains elevation during the night, appearing highest in the sky at 11 pm MST early in the month and at 9:00 pm MST late in the month. Look for Jupiter just below the waxing gibbous Moon on the night of February 26. Jupiter displays beautifully in almost any telescope, showing its many features like the north and south equatorial belts, the Great Red Spot, festoons and other cloud features along with its four Galilean moons. Having just past its point of opposition on January 10, February will be a great month to see Jupiter at its best! Join us at the RASC Observatory on clear Friday and Saturday nights to take in this incredible world!
Saturn is located at 27 degrees above the southwestern horizon after sunset in the early part of the month. The planet is located in the constellation of Pisces, the fish, and can be found just below the asterism of stars known as the “circlet of Pisces”. The waxing crescent Moon is seen just above and the elusive planet, Mercury just below Saturn after sunset on February 19. At the end of the month, Saturn sinks much lower toward the western horizon, almost disappearing into the Sun’s setting glow, while the bright planet Venus comes up to join Saturn. After this month, Saturn slowly emerges back into our eastern predawn sky.
Moon Phases
February 1 Full Moon (The Snow Blinding Moon)
February 9 Last Quarter Moon
February 17 New Moon
February 24 First Quarter Moon
Special Events
International Space Station (ISS) Observable Passes
Look for passes of the International Space Station in the predawn sky from February 13 to 28. There are no visible passes from February 1 to February 12. Exact times of these passages for your location can be found by visiting the website http://www.heavens-above.com or by using satellite tracking smart phone apps like Sputnik or Spot-the-Station.
Parade of Planets in February
A nice parade of planets will be found in our evening sky after sunset from February 1 to the end of the month! Early in the month we can see the planets Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune and Saturn spanning the sky from bright Jupiter in the east to much fainter Saturn in the southwest early in the evening. The planets Uranus and Neptune will require a telescope to see, while Jupiter and Saturn are visible to the unaided eye. During the last week of February, you may be able to see all the planets, with the exception of Mars which has just passed its solar conjunction back on January 9 and is hidden in the Sun’s glow.
A Possible Nova
Keep watching the constellation of Corona Borealis (the northern crown) this month and into the next few months to see when T Corona Borealis goes nova! It could happen any time now. T Corona Borealis is a recurring nova which undergoes an outburst about every 80 years or so. The last two recorded outbursts were on May 12, 1866, and on February 9, 1946, where it reached about magnitude 2 in brightness. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime event!
February 1 Very sad 23rd Anniversary of the loss of the Shuttle Columbia and Crew (2003).
Black history month begins.
February 2 - Groundhog Day
February 3 - Uranus stationary
February 8 -Tentative launch of the Artemis 2 mission to the Moon. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen will be onboard as a mission specialist. Viewing of the launch in the Zeidler Dome at the TELUS World of Science – Edmonton (TWOSE). Check the TWOSE website for details. Please note, the launch may be delayed due to unforeseen circumstances.
February 9 - Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) Edmonton Centre meeting
Live in the Zeidler Dome at TWOSE and presented virtually through Zoom.
7:30 p.m. – 9:30 pm
Free for anyone to attend.
See edmontonrasc.com for more details.
February 14 Valentine’s Day
1st day of the new Zeidler Dome show “The Great Solar System Adventure”
February 18 Clyde Tombaugh’s discovery of Pluto 96 years ago (1930).
February 16 Family Day holiday
February 17 First day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan begins at sunset tonight (with the sighting of the crescent Moon)
February 19 Mercury at its point of greatest eastern elongation (18 degrees)
February 25 Mercury stationary