February 2007

February starts with Mercury low on the horizon below the much brighter Venus after sunset. If you have trouble finding Mercury, look during the first few days of the month. The messenger is at greatest elongation in the evening sky on the 2nd, meaning it won't take long for Mercury to be lost in the glare of the sun again. Venus slowly gets higher and higher each night, first passed by the stars of Capricorn then those of Pisces. The Great Square of Pegaus is to the right.

Saturn is at opposition on the 11th. That means it's opposite the sun in the sky, up all night. Find the ringed planet all month between the sickle of Leo and the dim stars of Cancer.

In morning skies to the east, Jupiter spends the month just north of Scorpio's head. Look for the big planet and Antares shining bright in the pre-dawn skies.

Mars is a morning object this month. It's not well placed for easy viewing from the northern hemisphere this month, but those in southern latitudes will find it easily. The red planet is rises shortly before the sun next to the teapot of Sagitarrius at the start of February. Those stars rise earlier each day and soon Mars is in the company of Capricorn.

The full moon makes a close pass south of Saturn on the 2nd and Regulus on the 3rd. Approaching last quarter, it goes north of Spica on the 8th and as a thick crescent it passes Antares on the 11th.