From Ring of Fire to Planet Parade, 8 sky events you can’t miss in February
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From a fiery solar eclipse to a parade of planets, the February night sky is full of unusual sights. Find out what you can see from India and when to look up.
Annular Solar Eclipse of Fire (February 17): In a dramatic annular solar eclipse, the Moon covers part of the Sun, forming a glowing “ring of fire” in the sky. Antarctica and the southern Indian Ocean will see a full eclipse, while southern Africa, Argentina, Chile, and Botswana may see a partial solar eclipse. Cosmic events will not be visible in India.Moon-Mercury conjunction (February 18): Just one day after the new moon, a thin crescent moon will appear near Mercury just after sunset. Look low in the sky in the west just after sunset between 6:15 and 7:30 p.m. Binoculars are useful, but only after the sun has completely set.Mercury at maximum eastern elongation (February 19): Mercury reaches its maximum eastern elongation from the Sun, making it one of the best nights of the year to spot the elusive planet. Watch it glow low in the western sky after sunset between 6:20 and 7:40 p.m.Crescent Moon Meets Saturn (February 19): On the same night, a 2-day-old crescent moon hovers close to Saturn, resembling a delicate claw on the side of the ringed planet. The pair will be visible on the west-southwest horizon for about two hours after sunset, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.Moon Approaching the Pleiades Star Cluster (February 23): The waxing crescent moon passes over the Pleiades star cluster, creating a stunning sight with both the naked eye and binoculars. Look to the southwest sky after sunset from 7pm to 1:30am. The duo slowly moves west and sets around 2am.A planet parade lights up the sky: In late February, an unusual lineup of six planets fills the evening sky. Venus, Mercury, and Saturn are close to the west, Jupiter is rising in the east, and Uranus and Neptune are visible (through binoculars or a telescope) near the Pleiades star cluster. They are most commonly seen just after dusk (6:30pm to 8:00pm).Return of the Milky Way Core: The bright center of the Milky Way begins to reappear in the predawn sky, especially from locations in the far southern United States. In February, it rises just above the southeastern horizon before sunrise, and visibility increases steadily through March. It is barely visible from India before dawn (4:30-5:30 a.m.) and is best seen from the dark southern part of the country, very low on the southeastern horizon. (All images: Representative/Getty)
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February is a wonderfully quiet month for sky watchers. From a rare annular eclipse to planets lining up after sunset, here are eight celestial events you don’t want to miss this month.
