February 2025 is an thrilling month for stargazing fanatics and astronomy lovers alike. From dazzling planetary conjunctions to meteor showers and celestial occasions, the night time sky is full of wonders to discover. Whether or not you’re monitoring planets like Jupiter and Mars or observing distant galaxies, that is the right time to search for and marvel on the cosmos.
Would you wish to be notified of stargazing occasions?
Record of Meteor Showers in February 2025
- Antihelion Supply: Begin on December 10; a number of peaks; finish September 10.
- Comae Berenicids: Begin on December 12; peak on December 16; finish on February 4.
- α-Centaurids: Begin on January 28; peak on February 8; finish on February 21.
- γ-Normids: Begin on February 25; peak on March 14; finish on March 28.
We even have a whole record of meteor showers for your complete yr of 2025 right here.
Record of Planetary Conjunctions in February 2025
- Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn in Aquarius on February 1.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Venus in Aquarius on February 1.
- Conjunction of Venus and Neptune in Pisces on February 3.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter in Taurus on February 7.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Mars in Gemini on February 9.
- Conjunction of Mercury and Saturn in Aquarius on February 25.
February 1: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn
The Moon and Saturn will attain conjunction passing inside 1°05′ of one another whereas sharing the identical proper ascension.
At across the similar time the 2 our bodies may even make an in depth method (appulse) reaching 57.6 arcminutes from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension. In some elements of Siberia this distance shall be so shut as to result in a lunar occultation of Saturn, which means the Moon will move in entrance of Saturn thereby hiding it from view quickly.
The Moon shall be at obvious magnitude -10.2 and Saturn at magnitude 1.0 each within the constellation of Aquarius. The Moon shall be a 3 days previous waxing crescent at 12%. Venus may even be close by, ready for its personal conjunction later the identical day.
February 1: Conjunction of the Moon and Venus
The Moon and Venus shall be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 2°20′ of one another.
Round an hour later, the 2 our bodies may even make an in depth method (appulse) reaching 2°04′ from one another, however now not sharing the identical proper ascension.
Search for the 2 our bodies within the constellation of Aquarius. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn on February 1.) The Moon shall be a really skinny waxing crescent (18%) at 3 days previous and won’t intervene a lot with stargazing this early February 2025. Regardless of this, the Moon will nonetheless be at obvious magnitude of -10.7, whereas Venus shall be at magnitude -4.6. Saturn may even be close by, nonetheless lingering after its personal conjunction earlier within the day.
February 3: Conjunction of Venus and Neptune
Venus and Neptune will attain conjunction passing inside 3°57′ of one another whereas sharing the identical proper ascension.
Venus shall be at obvious magnitude -4.6 and Neptune at magnitude 7.9 each within the constellation of Pisces. The 2 planets shall be too extensively separated to suit throughout the discipline of view of a telescope, however will match with binoculars. The Moon shall be a 5 days previous waxing crescent at 38%.
February 4: Jupiter ends retrograde movement
Jupiter will finish retrograde movement, which implies it is going to cease touring westward via the constellations and as a substitute return to the extra ordinary eastward movement as a substitute. The entire outer planets within the photo voltaic system periodically expertise this orientation reversal, which happens just a few months earlier than they attain opposition.
Historical observers had been troubled by retrograde movement as a result of it didn’t match with their perception in uniform round orbits across the Earth. The phenomenon is definitely resulting from Earth’s orbit across the Solar, which shifts our perspective and causes planets to look to maneuver forwards and backwards within the sky whereas persevering with their total eastward path via the constellations.
Jupiter could be noticed within the constellation of Taurus with an obvious magnitude of -2.5. The Moon shall be a 6 day previous waxing crescent at 45%.
February 6: Shut method of the Moon and the Pleiades
The Moon and the Pleiades (also called M45 or Messier 45) will make an in depth method, passing inside 31.5 arcminutes of one another.
Each objects shall be within the constellation of Taurus with the Moon being at obvious magnitude -12.2; and the Pleiades at 1.3. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing Jupiter ending retrograde movement on February 4.) The Moon shall be 8 days previous and waxing gibbous at 66%.
February 7: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter
The Moon and Jupiter shall be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 5°29′ of one another.
At across the similar time the 2 our bodies may even make an in depth method (appulse) reaching 5°25′ from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension.
The 2 celestial our bodies will meet within the constellation Taurus with the Moon at obvious magnitude of -12.3 and Jupiter at -2.5. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing Jupiter ending retrograde movement on February 4.) The Moon shall be 9 days previous and waxing gibbous at 74%.
February 8: α-Centaurid meteor bathe peak
The Alpha Centaurids will peak with a zenithal hourly charge of 6 meteors if situations are optimum. These situations may very well be very near optimum because the Moon shall be solely a day away from the brand new moon part.
Some meteors might also be noticed between January 28 and February 21. They may radiate from the constellation of Centaurus on the velocity of 56 km/s on common.
February 9: Conjunction of the Moon and Mars
The Moon and Mars shall be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 46′ of one another.
Across the similar time, the 2 our bodies may even make an in depth method (appulse) reaching 46.0 arcminutes from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension. In elements of Russia, China, northern and jap Canada, Greenland, Iceland, and most of northern Scandinavia this distance shall be so shut as to result in a lunar occultation of Mars, which means the Moon will move in entrance of Mars thereby hiding it from view quickly.
Search for the 2 our bodies within the constellation of Gemini. The Moon shall be at obvious magnitude of -12.6, whereas Mars shall be at magnitude -0.8. The Moon shall be waxing gibbous (94%) at 11 days previous.
February 12: Asteroid 29 Amphitrite at opposition
Asteroid 29 Amphitrite will attain opposition, when it lies reverse to the Solar within the sky, reaching the very best level within the sky round midnight native time, no matter the place on this planet you might be positioned.
It’s an S-type asteroid, with a imply diameter of simply over 200 km, which might make it the fifth largest asteroid within the belt.
This asteroid will come inside 1.541 AU of us, reaching a peak brightness of magnitude 9.2. Sadly it’s a lot too dim to be seen to the bare eye, so a telescope of average aperture shall be wanted. Level it on the constellation of Leo. Sadly, the intense Moon will intervene this center of February 2025, as it will likely be at full moon.
February 19: Bode’s Galaxy at its highest level within the sky
Bode’s Galaxy, also called Messier 81 or NGC 3031, (see featured picture on the prime of the article) will attain its highest level within the sky at round midnight native time, making it an excellent time to look at it. At an obvious magnitude of 6.9, a small telescope is beneficial for viewing. Look within the constellation of Ursa Main. The Moon shall be a 21 days previous waning gibbous at 52%.
This galaxy, positioned 12 million light-years away from Earth, is a member of the Council of Giants and a neighbor of our Native Group.
February 24: Mars ends retrograde movement
Mars will finish retrograde movement, which implies it is going to cease touring westward via the constellations and as a substitute return to the extra ordinary eastward movement as a substitute. The entire outer planets within the photo voltaic system periodically expertise this orientation reversal, which happens just a few months earlier than they attain opposition.
Historical observers had been troubled by retrograde movement as a result of it didn’t match with their perception in uniform round orbits across the Earth. The phenomenon is definitely resulting from Earth’s orbit across the Solar, which shifts our perspective and causes planets to look to maneuver forwards and backwards within the sky whereas persevering with their total eastward path via the constellations.
Mars could be noticed within the constellation of Gemini with an obvious magnitude of 0.7. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of the Moon and Mars on February 9.) Luckily the Moon received’t intervene a lot with stargazing this finish of February 2025 as it will likely be a 26 days previous waning crescent at 14%.
February 25: Conjunction of Mercury and Saturn
Mercury and Saturn will attain conjunction passing inside 1°39′ of one another whereas sharing the identical proper ascension.
Mercury shall be at obvious magnitude -1.1 and Saturn at magnitude 1.1 each within the constellation of Aquarius. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn on February 1.) The Moon shall be a 27 days previous waning crescent at 3%.
Moon Phases in February 2025
As you recognize, the Moon has a huge impact on the visibility of celestial our bodies and astronomical occasions within the night time sky. So that will help you with stargazing, right here’s a calendar of the phases of Moon for this month of February 2025:
Positions of the Planets in February 2025
- Mercury: The closest planet to the Solar could be seen at daybreak and nightfall travelling throughout the constellation of Capricornus after which Aquarius. This planet, being the closest to the Solar, will seem to maneuver rapidly within the night time sky and its place will change within the following weeks.
- Venus: The sister planet could be seen travelling throughout the constellation of Aquarius after which Pisces. Similar to Mercury, Venus can solely be seen at daybreak and nightfall.
- Mars: The purple planet could be seen within the constellation of Gemini later within the month.
- Jupiter: The gasoline big is seen within the constellation of Taurus. Jupiter can simply be noticed with the bare eye, even in extremely illuminated cities.
- Saturn: The ringed big could be seen with the bare eye within the constellation of Aquarius.
- Uranus: The ice big could be seen within the constellation of Aries with the usage of a telescope.
- Neptune: The blue big requires a telescope pointed within the constellation of Pisces to be able to be seen.
Positions of Dwarf Planets and Massive Asteroids in February 2025
- Ceres: The asteroid belt’s lone dwarf planet could be seen within the constellation of Capricornus with the assistance of a telescope.
- Vesta: This massive asteroid could be seen within the constellation of Virgo with a telescope.
- Pallas: The asteroid could be noticed with a telescope within the constellation of Aquila.
- Hygiea: The fourth largest asteroid could be discovered with a telescope within the constellation of Pisces.
- Pluto: This distant dwarf planet could be discovered within the constellation of Capricornus with the assistance of a giant telescope.
Main astronomical occasions subsequent month – March 2025
- March 12: Asteroid 8 Flora at opposition
- March 14: Complete lunar eclipse
- March 14: γ-Normids meteor bathe peak
- March 20: March equinox
- March 23: Saturn ring aircraft crossing
- March 25: Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner at perihelion
- March 25: Dwarf planet Ceres at aphelion
- March 29: Partial photo voltaic eclipse
- March 31: Dwarf planet Makemake at opposition
Conclusion
February 2025 provides a celestial feast of stargazing alternatives, from placing lunar conjunctions with planets to the Alpha Centaurid meteor bathe and vivid asteroids like Amphitrite at opposition. Stargazers also can observe retrograde motions ending for Jupiter and Mars, alongside outstanding deep-sky objects like Bode’s Galaxy. Whether or not you’re a seasoned astronomer or an off-the-cuff observer, this month is an ideal alternative to discover the night time sky.
To make sure you don’t miss out on any celestial happenings, join our publication to obtain stargazing calendars and extra updates. Maintain your telescopes prepared and clear your calendar for these cosmic highlights!
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