Sky Watcher - February 2025
Planet Parade Continues!
Last month, you may have heard of a “planetary parade” or “planetary alignment” happening in 2025. It has arrived! While not in a true line in the sky, there are currently six major planets (all besides Mercury) visible above the horizon for a short time.
It’s important to note here, you can only see six planets if you have a telescope or powerful binoculars! Both Uranus and Neptune are visible, but not with the naked eye. Only Saturn, Venus, Jupiter, and Mars are easily visible in the southern sky with no magnification.
It’s also important to note that the planets are NOT actually in a straight line in the sky! The planets, Sun, and Moon follow an imaginary line in the sky called the ecliptic. The ecliptic is the apparent path of the Sun as we see it from Earth. As our solar system is aligned in a plane, all major planets appear close to the ecliptic in the sky.
Image Source: Earthsky.org - Northern hemisphere graphic showing the locations of Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Saturn, and Uranus in the late January sky.
Winter Constellations
Winter in the northern hemisphere brings harsh temperatures, snow, and ice to Missouri, but there are also many famous stars and star patterns visible during this time of year. Orion’s Belt is the most famous and one star pattern you probably recognize.
If you did not get a chance to see Orion during January, the Mighty Hunter will still be visible throughout February and into March. Look for a pattern of three stars in a line, surrounded by two bright stars above and below (Orion’s shoulders and feet). Surrounding the area near Orion, Jupiter and Mars shine brightly in Taurus and Gemini, respectively. South and left of Orion’s belt is the bright star Sirius, the brightest star visible in the night sky.
Graphic showing the locations of famous stars, constellations, and asterisms in the winter sky during February. Constellations capped from timeanddate.com.
February Moon Phases
First Quarter Moon: February 5
Full Moon: February 12 (Snow Moon)
Third Quarter Moon: February 20
New Moon: February 27
Graphic showing the phases of the moon.
COMING SOON: Total Eclipse of the Moon!
March 13-14, 2025 - Watch soon for a Sky Watcher Special Edition all about the upcoming lunar eclipse.
Image Source: science.nasa.gov - Observers in the Western Hemisphere will have the opportunity to view a total lunar eclipse in March 2025. NASA/Vi Nguyen
