What to See within the Night time Sky for February 2023

Hiya there stargazers, and welcome to February! Along with a glowing, inexperienced comet, it’s but yet another quiet month of specific highlights to get excited over. That acknowledged, chilly temperatures give approach to a couple of the clearest evenings of the 12 months, so protect a look ahead to parting clouds and make some time to get out and lookup!

A Inexperienced Comet Glows at its brightest (Feb. 2)

The inexperienced comet, C/2022 E3 (ZTF), photographed on January 27, 2023.

Alessandro Bianconi / CC BY 2.0 / Wikipedia


Comet C/2022 E3 (ZHF) may shine brightest tonight, as a result of it nears its closest stage to Earth (26 million miles) all through its exit from the inside picture voltaic system. Discovered solely closing March, the comet’s gorgeous and unusual inexperienced glow, intensified by its shut technique to the photo voltaic, has made it a spotlight for astrophotographers. Given that the comet hasn’t been seen as a result of the ultimate ice age, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime prevalence. Relying in your darkish sky circumstances, likelihood is you may solely need some binoculars to establish it. For these inside the Northern Hemisphere, look to the northwest inside the early morning hours. Should winter skies complicate points, there could also be moreover a dwell stream hosted by The Digital Telescope starting at 11 p.m. on the 2nd.

Preserve Warmth Under a Full ‘Snow Moon’ (Feb. 5)

The full “snow moon,” in honor of the Northern Hemisphere’s snowiest month, reaches its peak at 1:30 p.m. EST on Wednesday, February 5. Stargazing all through a full moon is refined by moonlight for all nonetheless the brightest objects, nonetheless there’s no denying the great thing about evening “snow glow” on latest powder. For many who’re someone who enjoys hitting the slopes, the occasions foremost as a lot as and after Feb’s full Moon ought to offer some extended evening snowboarding, snowboarding, or tubing options.

Why This Points to Treehugger

Space is our planet’s residence and its wonders help us get exterior and foster an appreciation of nature. Exploring space and the cosmos may even help us examine what’s occurring on Earth.

New Moon, Darkish Skies (Feb. 20)

NASA, ESA and the Hubble Heritage Workers (STScI/AURA)


February’s new moon, when the moon passes between the Earth and the photo voltaic (and will not be seen from Earth), will current the easiest excuse however to soak up the whole celestial magnificence above. Absent moonlight, the celebrities, planets, and galaxies will rule the night. Need a purpose? Seize some binoculars or a small telescope and try recognizing Messier 81. Additionally known as Bode’s Galaxy, for the 18th-century German astronomer who discovered it, this grand design spiral galaxy is positioned roughly 12 million light-years from Earth inside the constellation Ursa Principal. It is estimated to comprise better than 250 billion stars. For detailed instructions on recommendations on the right way to uncover M81, leap proper right here.

Jupiter and Venus Share a Shut Encounter (Feb. 28)

Venus and Jupiter conjunction photographed in Italy.
Kerrin / 500px / Getty Footage

Inside the early evening hours of Feb. 28, Jupiter and Venus will begin a celestial dance which will culminate on March 2 in a planetary conjunction (when two planets appear terribly shut collectively as observed from Earth). On the twenty eighth, at spherical 7:30 p.m. EST, the good pair will in all probability be low inside the sky, so search out an unblocked western horizon to grab this planetary “tango at dusk.”

Start of Milky Methodology Season Down Under (Late Feb.)

For our mates inside the Southern Hemisphere, late February marks the start of the easiest viewing circumstances for taking in the great thing about the Milky Methodology. One of the best situations are usually on darkish evenings with out moonlight from midnight (when the Milky Methodology will in all probability be immediately overhead) until 5 a.m. These distinctive viewing circumstances usually closing until late October. Most interesting viewing circumstances for the Milky Methodology inside the Northern Hemisphere are normally from late March until late August.

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