| February is the second month in the Gregorian calendar and usually consists of 28 days. Usually, ever four years February will have 29 days in a year known as a Leap Year. In the original Roman calendar, the Winter months of January and February were considered part of a monthless Winter period. At that time, the year began on March 1. The months of January and February were added around 700 BC by King Numa Pomplius. The name of February comes from the term ‘Februltus’, which means ‘a righting of wrongs.’ February was the time of purification rituals in ancient Rome. |
The New Moon for February occurs on Saturday February 13th. This makes that weekend February 13-14 the absolute best weekend for dark sky observing.
The Full Moon occurs on February 28th and is known as the Full Worm Moon or Full Lenten Moon.
Mercury is observable in the morning hours of the month and is located, at the start of the month, in the constellation Sagittarius (The Archer). On February 9th, Mercury moves into the constellation Capricornus (The Sea Goat), and on February 27th, Mercury moves into the constellation Aquarius (The Water Bearer).
Sunrise, February,27th -
On February 27th and 28th Mercury passes
less than 2° of the planet Neptune.
At the end of the month Mercury is disappearing into the glare of the Sunrise.
The start of February finds Venus emerging from the Glare of the evening Sunset. Venus is observable all evening, all month. Venus begins the month in the constellation Capricornus (The Sea Goat) and on February 8th, crosses into the constellation Aquarius (The Water Bearer).
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Sunset, February 9th - Venus passes less than 1° of the planet Neptune. |
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Sunset, February 16th - Venus passes less than 0°32’ of Jupiter. |
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Since Mars reach Opposition on January 29th, Mars is in excellent position for observing, all night, all month. Mars is located in the constellation Cancer in February, moving in retrograde motion.
Sunset to the East, February 5th - Between February 1st and February 10th you may find Mars between 3°30’ and 4° of the Beehive Cluster (M44).
Jupiter can be observed the first week of February in the evening before it disappears into the Glare of the Sunset around February 8th. Jupiter is located, this month, in to constellation Aquarius (The Water Bearer).
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Sunset, February 16th - It might be possible to locate Jupiter on the evening of February 16th by locating Venus which will pass within 0° 35’ of Jupiter. |
Since Saturn will reach Opposition next month, on March 21st. Saturn is in excellent position for observing all month. Saturn rises around 9:25 pm (PST) at the start or February and by the end of the month will rise around 7:30 pm (PST).
Uranus is located in the constellation Pisces (The Fish) until May 2012. Uranus is observable in the evening hours of February, setting around 8:35 pm (PST) at the start of the month and setting around 6:55 pm (PST) at the end of February.
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Sunset, February 16th - The waxing, crescent Moon passes 4°45′ of Uranus. |
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At the end of the month, Uranus will disappear into the glare of the sunset.
Due to its proximity to the Sun, Neptune is not observable this month. Neptune is located in the constellation Capricornus (The Sea Goat) until March 2010.
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Sunset, February 9th - Venus passes less than 1° of the planet Neptune. |
Pluto is located in the constellation Sagittarius (The Archer) until the year 2023. Pluto is observable in the morning hours of February, rising around 4:15 am at the start of the month and rising around 2:35 am (PST) at the end.
2/2/2010 Waning, gibbous moon passes within 8°15′ from Saturn
2/5/2010 Last Quarter Moon
2/5/2010 Mars passes the Beehive Cluster (M44) less than 3°30′
2/9/2010 Venus and Neptune in conjunction within 1° of each other
2/9/2010 Waning, crescent moon passes within 9°10′ of Pluto
2/13/2010 New Moon
2/16/2010 Venus and Jupiter in close conjunction, less than 0°32′
2/16/2010 Waning, crescent moon passes within 4°45′ of Uranus
2/21/2010 First Quarter Moon
2/27/2010 Mercury and Neptune in conjunction within 2° of each other
2/28/2010 Full Worm Moon
2/28/2010 Mercury and Neptune in conjunction within 2° of each other
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