Welcome to February, the shortest month of the yr, however there’s nonetheless a lot to see within the night time sky. Over the previous few weeks, the evenings have been getting a bit of brighter, which is good for us, but it surely implies that it takes a bit of extra time to see the celebs come out. So, for one of the best views it’s a good suggestion to get out of city to keep away from the sunshine air pollution. Whereas some views are spectacular, it’s finest to keep away from telephones, even when the images might go viral… It takes between 20 to half-hour for our eyes to regulate to the darkish, so we don’t need to wreck the expertise. We shall be wanting principally to the southern sky, which has seasonal constellations. So, via the yr totally different stars are going to be seen within the night time sky. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
Constellations
The constellations we see within the night time sky are merely patterns we see from our perspective on Earth, in order that they aren’t of a lot worth scientifically, however they do assist us establish particular elements of the sky. They may also help us later after we are in search of different objects within the night time sky.
A few of the constellations we are able to see within the February Night time Sky. Picture Credit score: Stellarium/Mark Grimley
Throughout this month we’re nonetheless going to have the ability to see the winter constellations and among the brightest stars within the sky, aside from the Solar (nighttime and all that). The brightest star to us within the night time sky is Sirius, in Canis Main. In any other case referred to as the Huge Canine. It by no means will get too excessive within the sky, so in case you are trying to the South, you’ll in all probability discover it.
Monoceros: Mono that means ‘single’ and ceros/keras that means ‘horn of an animal.’ It is a shut translation to “unicorn.” This constellation is faint, and on the celestial equator, so it doesn’t actually get that prime within the sky. So, my recommendation is to attempt to not have any mild air pollution round you or to the south. In any other case, it could be nearly not possible to see.
Hydra: This one represents a water-snake within the night time sky. It’s near Monoceros, but it surely has just a few brighter stars. One thing you would possibly discover is that it’s a very lengthy constellation, in truth that it is among the longest within the night time sky. To see extra of this constellation being near or on the equator would assist. It does sit on the road that the equator attracts within the sky.
Deep Sky and different celestial objects
Whereas planets aren’t deep sky objects, a telescope actually helps in seeing them with readability. Many telescopes you may get for house may also help you see the rings of Saturn or among the moons of Jupiter. In case you are someplace that could be very darkish you may even see a nebula right here and there, however they are often more durable to seek out, and a few are fairly faint via optical telescopes.
Jupiter shall be seen to the bare eye via the month and shall be fairly excessive. Jupiter is an enormous planet that displays numerous daylight, making it a really shiny object within the night time sky. In the event you view Jupiter via a telescope, you may even see a moon or two (or 4: the Galilean Moons) though it is going to be tough to inform which is which. In the identical a part of the sky, you can discover Uranus, however you will want a telescope to see it. In spite of everything, it took a telescope to find it in 1781.
In the event you do have a telescope, you can too search for another deep sky objects together with the Coronary heart Nebula (aka the Valentine Nebula) within the area of Cassiopeia. It isn’t that shiny however with a telescope you may even see a few of it on a darkish night time. We even have the Coronary heart Formed Cluster (M50 or NGC 2323) in Monoceros, the constellation we noticed earlier. You’ll discover it above Sirius, that shiny star I discussed earlier.
The Coronary heart Cluster. Picture Credit score: Stellarium/Mark Grimley
The Coronary heart Nebula. Picture Credit score: Stellarium/Mark Grimley
Once we have a look at star clusters and nebulae, generally a bit of bit (or so much) of creativeness to see the connection between the title and the form of the cluster or nebula.
The moon
Picture Credit score:Stellarium/Mark Grimley
The total moon shall be at 00:21 on the 24th of the month, if it’s a clear night time the moon can mirror numerous mild in the direction of earth on these nights. However the brand new moon part shall be on the 9th at 23:36 practically 2 weeks earlier. Will probably be on the far aspect of the earth on this night time, so it could be a greater night time for stargazing, climate allowing, in fact. In case you are in search of date concepts round Valentine’s Day, stargazing could also be a risk for you. On Valentines Night time the moon shall be in its waxing crescent part and shall be near Jupiter, so chances are you’ll get some good views with a telescope or good binoculars. Because the moon strikes from crescent to the primary quarter part it is possible for you to to watch it with a telescope extra comfortably. Because it strikes in the direction of the complete moon part it displays extra mild and will be blinding via a telescope.
The February full moon is usually referred to as the Snow moon as a result of at time the snow remaining on the bottom might make it tough to seek out or hunt for meals. Some northern native American tribe have referred to as it the Starvation Moon for the same purpose.
