Astronomy Guide February 2023

Dear Stargazer Friends,

Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) will remain visible through early February and will later be observable from the southern hemisphere. On 9 February, it should be visible near Mars. 

Venus has become much more prominent since early January. On 22 February, look for Venus, Jupiter and the waxing crescent Moon at around 19:00 h (W). Saturn will not be observable until May 2023. 

The constellation of Orion moves across the meridian (meridian transit; the meridian is an imaginary circle that passes through the celestial poles and an observer’s zenith) much earlier now (around 22:00 or earlier). In the East, the constellation of Leo – herald of Spring – is now already visible. For observation and astrophotography, the constellations of Cancer, Canis Minor, Monoceros and Gemini offer many fascinating celestial objects. In the early pre-dawn mornings, the constellations of Scorpius (SE) and Cygnus (NE) are visible again 

Clear Skies and best wishes,

Isa 

Comet C/2022 EC (ZTF) 20.1.2023 – Picture by Isabel Streit 2023

Moon phases February 2023

Times CET

PhaseDate
Full Moon (Snow Moon)05 Feb, 19:28
Third Quarter13 Feb, 17:00
New Moon20 Feb, 08:05
First Quarter27 Feb, 09:05 
Source: timeanddate.com

Meteor Showers February 2023

α-Centaurid meteor shower
28 Jan – 21 Feb 2023
Peak on 8 February but mainly only visible from the southern hemisphere. The Alpha Centaurids are considered a minor meteor shower.

Sources: 

American Meteor Society

Kosmos Himmels-Jahr 2023, Hans-Ulrich Keller, Franck-Kosmos Verlags-GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart, 2022.

Starwalk Space 

Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF)

C/2022 E3 (ZTF) had its closest approach to Earth on 1 February 2023 but remains visible all night in early February. It has increased in magnitude. From a dark site, it should be observable with the naked eye. With binoculars, you should be able to see it also from more light polluted areas.

Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) position on 9 Feb 2023. Source: The Sky Live

Planets

For more detailed information check https://in-the-sky.org

Mercury will not be visible in February. 

Venus is still in the constellation of Capricornus and will appear in the constellation of Pisces starting 17 February. It now appears close to Jupiter low over the horizon (W). On 22 February, look for Venus, Jupiter and the waxing crescent Moon at around 19:00 h.

Mars still appears in the constellation of Taurus and is visible in the western part of the sky. It will set earlier as the month progresses and its magnitude continues to diminish. 

Jupiter will appear in the constellation of Cetus starting 6 February and will set earlier as the month progresses – at 22:09 on 3 Feb, at 20:59 on 28 Feb.

Saturn will not be visible in February. It will make a comeback in May appearing in the constellation of Aquarius.

Uranus is still in the Constellation of Aries and can be observed in the evening. 

Neptune will not be observable in February.

Phenomena not to miss in February

Night sky over Lake Murten, Switzerland facing South – 18.1.2023 during Murten Lichtfestival 2023 – Picture by Isabel Streit 2023

The transit of the constellation of Orion is now already around 22:00 h or earlier. At the same time in the eastern part of the night sky, the constellation of Leo with its brightest star Regulus can now be observed – a herald of Spring. For observation and astrophotography, the constellations of Cancer, Canis Minor and Monoceros offer many interesting celestial objects, from Nebulae (Rosette nebula aka Caldwell 49 in Monoceros) to Open star clusters such as Praesepe in Cancer (Messier 44). In the constellation of Gemini watch out for the Open star cluster Messier 35, and Double Star Castor (a Gem). In Canis Minor, Double Star Procyon (a CMi). 

0319:47Pollux 1.9°N of Waxing Gibbous Moon
06early eveningRegulus S of Moon
1105:23Spica S of Moon
1618:00Saturn in Conjunction with Sun 
22at duskWaxing Crescent Moon, Venus and Jupiter appear close (W)
2619:00Waxing Crescent Moon 2.8° N of Uranus (SW)
26eveningWaxing Crescent Moon near Pleiades
2803:00Mars 1.7°S of Moon
Celestial phenomena February 2023

Sources:

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