| | | February 1 February Planets | | | |
|
|
| |
| February guide to the bright planets | | In February, the 2 bright planets up before the sun are Venus (brighter) and Jupiter. Saturn is there, too, if you look closely. Mars shines in the evening sky all month. Starting in mid-February, look for Mercury low in the west as dusk gives way to darkness. Read more. | | | Tomorrow is Groundhog Day | | And it's an astronomy holiday, tied to the movement of Earth around the sun. Falling approximately midway between a solstice and an equinox, it's the year's 1st cross-quarter day. Read more. | | | Speedy comet approaching Earth's vicinity | | A fast-moving comet, C/2018 Y1 (Iwamoto), is nearing its February encounter with the sun and Earth. It'll pass near some galaxies as seen from Earth, providing a great opportunity for astrophotographers. Charts and more info here.
A closer look at comet C/2018 Y1 (Iwamoto)’s orbit. Image via NASA/JPL. | | | | | |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|  | | Will you catch the moon and Saturn before sunrise February 2? | Jupiter and Venus will be very bright and up in the east before dawn. Saturn is below them - much fainter - near the moon on the morning of February 2. Read more. | | | | | |
|
| |
 | | Zodiacal light back in the west after sunset | View larger at EarthSky Community Photos. | That lighted cone in the west after sunset, visible in dark skies for up to an hour after all traces of twilight have disappeared, is the zodiacal light. Mike Lewinski in Tres Piedras, New Mexico, caught it on January 27. Southern Hemisphere? Watch for it in the east before dawn! Read more. | | |
