February 2010 astronomy

Jupiter is the planetary attraction, getting ready to set not long after the sun, at the start of February. Mars is rising at about the same time, having just gone through opposition at the end of January. Before the end of the month, Jupiter will be too low to see before darkness sets in. In fact, Jupiter is in conjunction with the sun on the 28th. But you may catch a glimpse of brilliant Venus very low above the western horizon.

Saturn rises in late evening and is the only planet in its part of the sky all month.

Mercury is one you'll have to see early in February if you want to see it this month. It was at greatest elongation almost 25 degrees west of the sun on January 27th. It'll be easier to see from the southern hemisphere this time around. One thing that will help Mercury's visibility this month its closeness to the moon on the 12th. The moon will be just 2 degrees north. Mercury is at aphelion (farthest in its orbit from the sun) on February 13th.

The moon passes south of Saturn on the 3rd, and south of Mars on the 26th. The moon is full at the end of the month. It's also at descending node the next day. So the full moon will nearly trace the celestial equator as the earth turns.

An excellent occultation will happen on the 21st. Nearly all parts of Africa north of the equator will be good viewing ground as the moon hides Alcyone in the Pleiades. And it will be a convenient evening event.

Some of the most easily recognized constellations are visible during February evenings. Pegasus, notable for the Great Square, is setting not long after the sun. Taurus, the Hyades, the Pleiades, Orion, and Orion are near the meridian in early evening while Gemini is approaching it. Leo rises a little while later.