February Space and Astronomy Events
February is an exciting month for stargazing enthusiasts! From green comets to asteroid flybys and more, here are some of the most notable February space and astronomy events.
Green Comet Watching
This February, don’t miss the chance to spot a green comet in the night sky! Comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdušáková will be visible just below the constellation Orion and is expected to appear green in color due to the diatomic carbon and cyanogen gas it is giving off.
Asteroid Flyby
February also brings an asteroid flyby from Asteroid 2012 DA14. This asteroid will make its closest approach to Earth on February 15th and will fly by at 8.7 lunar distances away.
Lunar Eclipse and Full Moon
For those looking to spot a unique celestial event, February also hosts a partial lunar eclipse and a full moon. The partial lunar eclipse occurs on February 11th while the full moon occurs on February 26th.
More Celestial Events
February also brings a variety of other events. Here are some of the more notable ones:
- February 7th: Saturn is at Opposition, which means it’s at its brightest.
- February 10th: The Quadrantids Meteor Shower peaks.
- February 12th: Venus is at its brightest.
- February 27th: The Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower reaches its peak.
For the avid stargazer, February is a great month to get out and observe some truly awe inspiring events. So don’t miss out on this month’s offerings and head out to your favorite spot and get star gazing! On February 1, a remarkable celestial display will begin as a “green comet” graces the night sky. First sighted in November 2020, the green comet NEOWISE (C/2020 F3) is making its closest approach to Earth in three centuries and is the brightest comet we will see for at least the next two years.
NEOWISE is special for many reasons. First, its green color is the result of gases emitting from the sun-warmed nucleus of the comet. These gases contain molecules of cyanogen, carbon dioxide, and diatomic carbon. Secondly, NEOWISE is incredibly bright. The comet is easily visible to the naked eye in dark sky locations, and should remain a visible aerial spectacle throughout the entire month. Viewers in locations experiencing full or nearly full moonlight may still be able to see the comet, but it will be slightly dimmer.
In addition to enjoying the sight of the comet, there are a handful of other astronomical events to look forward to in February. For those wishing to watch shooting stars, the Quadrantids meteor shower will peak on the night of February 11th and will be visible through the whole night. Stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere can also look forward to sightings of the brilliant planet Venus, which will be most visible in the week of February 3.
All in all, February is shaping up to be a great month for astronomy. Whether you’re an experienced observer or just beginning to explore the night sky, there is something for everyone to enjoy and discover. So, grab a pair of binoculars or a telescope, or just look up with the naked eye, and don’t miss out on all the stellar show that February has to offer.