February Stargazing: Top Celestial Highlights

February may be a short month, but it still offers plenty of spectacular sights in the night sky. With long winter nights and generally clear skies, now is a fantastic time to head outside after sunset. Wrap up warm, find a dark spot away from city lights, and enjoy the view.

The Snow Moon

February’s full moon, called the Snow Moon, reaches its peak on 24 February. This name comes from the seasonal snows of late winter and marks one of the brightest moons of the year. The Snow Moon’s glow makes it ideal for moonlit night walks and photography, especially as it rises close to sunset.

Orion and the Winter Constellations

The constellation Orion remains a dominant winter feature throughout February. Look for Orion’s Belt - three stars in a straight line as your reference point. Nearby, the bright stars Betelgeuse (reddish) and Rigel (bluish) help make Orion easy to identify.

Close by is the familiar Winter Triangle, formed by the stars Sirius, Betelgeuse, and Procyon. The Winter Triangle is one of the most recognisable patterns in the northern hemisphere’s winter sky and makes a great navigational aid for spotting other constellations.

The Pleiades (Seven Sisters) Cluster

The beautiful Pleiades star cluster (also known as the Seven Sisters or M45) sits in the constellation Taurus and stays high in the western sky after sunset through February. Under dark skies, it shines as a tight group of blue-white stars. Binoculars or a small telescope bring out even more stars and detail.

The Zodiacal Light

Around mid-February, observers in the UK may catch a glimpse of the Zodiacal Light shortly after sunset. This faint, cone-shaped glow rising from the western horizon is caused by sunlight scattering off dust particles in the plane of our solar system. Dark skies, no moonlight, and clear air are key to seeing this subtle phenomenon.

Planets on Display

• Jupiter shines brightly in the early evening sky, visible soon after sunset. It remains one of the easiest planets to spot with the naked eye.

• Saturn sets earlier as the month progresses but can still be seen low in the western sky just after sunset.

• Venus continues to dazzle as a brilliant morning star, rising in the east before dawn.

February Stargazing Challenge: Track Venus and the Zodiacal Light

Objective: Use the early morning sky to observe Venus and, if conditions allow, catch a glimpse of the Zodiacal Light after sunset from a dark-sky location.

How to do it:

1. Spot Venus in the morning: For the first part of the month, look east about an hour before sunrise for Venus, the brightest object in that part of the sky.

2. Watch for Zodiacal Light: Around mid-February, choose a clear night after a New Moon phase, head to a dark location after sunset, and face the west. If skies are clear and free of light pollution, you may see the zodiacal glow rising like a pale pyramid.

3. Track Jupiter and Saturn: After sunset, identify Jupiter high in the sky. As dusk fades, try spotting Saturn low in the west before it dips below the horizon.

Recording observations over several nights helps build familiarity with shifting positions of planets and subtle seasonal sky changes.

Final Thought

February might be short, but it’s rich with opportunities for skywatchers. From the bright Snow Moon and stunning constellations to planets and subtle celestial glows, there’s always something to discover. Dress warmly, bring binoculars if you have them, and enjoy the starry delights of late winter nights in the UK.

Clear skies and happy stargazing!