The stars of winter reign through the long February nights. Orion is in the south at nightfall, with Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, twinkling fiercely to its lower left. Venus reigns as the “evening star,” although Jupiter gives it some competition in the evening sky. The two planets move closer to each other throughout the month. Mars is in the evening sky as well, climbing into good view in the east by around 9 p.m. early in the month, and by nightfall at month’s end. Mars grows noticeably brighter during the month.
Stargazing Information
This Week's Stargazing Tips
February 4, 2012
The Winter Circle is one of the largest asterisms in the sky — a pattern of stars that doesn’t form a constellation. It incorporates stars from six constellations and spans a swath of the sky that’s six times the width of your fist held at arm’s length.
February 5, 2012
The gibbous Moon tonight pushes through a wide ring of stars known as the Winter Circle. The Moon is about half-way between Procyon, the brightest star of the little dog, and Pollux and Castor, the “twin” stars of Gemini.
February 6, 2012
The Big Dipper is the most famous star pattern. Before and during the Civil War, slaves fleeing to the north paid special attention to it. They knew it as the Drinking Gourd. The rule for a successful escape was to always follow the Drinking Gourd.
February 7, 2012
Venus, our closest planetary neighbor, is high in the southwest as night falls this month. It is the brilliant "evening star," so you can’t miss it.
February 8, 2012
The giant but faint planet Uranus passes quite close to Venus, the “evening star,” the next few evenings. Tonight, Uranus is just to the upper left of Venus. Through binoculars, it looks like a tiny star with perhaps a hint of green.
February 9, 2012
The planet Mars is to the upper left of the Moon as they climb into good view around 9 p.m. It looks like a bright orange star. The two keep company as they soar high across the south during the night.
February 10, 2012
The Little Dipper twirls around the northern sky every night of the year. Tonight, the bowl dangles below the handle at nightfall, and stands above the handle at first light.
Check last week's tips if you missed a day.
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