Get able to witness a rare celestial showcase for stargazing this February 2024! From planetary conjunctions to comet and meteor sightings, the night time sky is poised to dazzle stargazers with its cosmic wonders. Be a part of us as we discover the celestial ballet unfolding above, providing a glimpse into the fascinating fantastic thing about our universe.
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Record of Meteor Showers in February 2024
- December Leonis Minorids: Begin on December 5; peak on December 20; finish on February 4.
- Antihelion Supply: Begin on December 10; a number of peaks; finish September 10.
- 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 checklist of meteor showers for your entire yr of 2024 right here.
Record of Planetary Conjunctions in February 2024
- Conjunction of Mercury and Pluto in Capricornus on February 5.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Venus in Sagittarius on February 7.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Mars in Sagittarius on February 8.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury in Capricornus on February 8.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn in Aquarius on February 10.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter in Aries on February 15.
- Conjunction of Mars and Pluto in Capricornus on February 15.
- Conjunction of Venus and Pluto in Capricornus on February 17.
- Conjunction of Venus and Mars in Capricornus on February 22.
February 5: Conjunction of Mercury and Pluto
Mercury and Pluto will attain conjunction passing inside 1°20′ of one another whereas sharing the identical proper ascension.
The planet Mercury will probably be at obvious magnitude -0.4 whereas dwarf planet Pluto will probably be at magnitude 15.1, each within the constellation of Capricornus. The Moon is not going to intrude a lot with stargazing this early February 2024 as a result of will probably be a 25 days previous waning crescent at solely 16%.
Curiously this month, identical to the earlier, can have a clustering of conjunctions inside mere days of one another (or much less). Because of this you’ll discover Mercury, Mars, and Venus close by ready for his or her respective conjunctions within the following days.
February 7: Conjunction of the Moon and Venus
The Moon and Venus will attain conjunction passing inside 5°25′ of one another whereas sharing the identical proper ascension.
The Moon will probably be at obvious magnitude -9.9 and Venus at magnitude -4.0 each within the constellation of Sagittarius. By then, the Moon would have pale to a mere 4% of its measurement – a 27 days previous waning crescent.
February 8: NGC 2808 at its highest level within the sky
NGC 2808 (see featured picture on the high of this text) is a globular cluster within the constellation of Carina in our Milky Manner galaxy. The cluster will attain its highest level within the sky at round midnight native time.
The cluster will attain obvious magnitude 6.2, so a pair of binoculars or a small telescope is advisable for optimum viewing. The Moon is not going to intrude with stargazing as will probably be very near new moon at at 28 days previous.
This object is one in every of our galaxy’s most large clusters, containing greater than 1,000,000 stars and is estimated to be as a lot as 12.5 billion years previous. It’s positioned 31,300 light-years away.
February 8: Conjunction of the Moon and Mars
The Moon and Mars will probably be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 4°12′ of one another.
Search for the 2 our bodies within the constellation of Sagittarius. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of the Moon and Venus.)
The Moon will probably be a really skinny waning crescent (2%) at 28 days previous, very near new moon. Regardless of this, the Moon will nonetheless be at obvious magnitude of -9.4, whereas Mars will probably be at magnitude 1.3.
February 8: Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury
The Moon and Mercury will cross inside 3°12′ of one another whereas sharing the identical proper ascension, in what known as a planetary conjunction.
The 2 celestial our bodies will probably be within the constellation of Capricornus, with the Moon at obvious magnitude -8.5, and Mercury at -0.5. The Moon will probably be a 28 days previous very skinny waning crescent very near new moon. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of Mercury and Pluto.)
As Mercury is at all times near the Solar, be very cautious to not level binoculars or a telescope instantly on the Solar. This will gravely harm your eyes, even leading to everlasting blindness.
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 could possibly be very near optimum because the Moon will probably be solely a day away from the brand new moon part.
Some meteors can also be noticed between January 28 and February 21. They are going to radiate from the constellation of Centaurus on the velocity of 56 km/s on common.
February 10: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn
The Moon and Saturn will attain conjunction by passing inside 1°48′ from one another whereas sharing the identical proper ascension.
The 2 our bodies will meet within the constellation of Aquarius with an obvious magnitude of -8.5 for the Moon and 0.9 for Saturn. The Moon will probably be a in the future previous waxing crescent at 3%.
February 12: Lunar occultation of Neptune
The Moon will cross in entrance of Neptune, making a lunar occultation, however solely seen from just a few islands within the Pacific Ocean close to Australia and New Guinea. Outdoors of that space, will probably be seen as a detailed method (or appulse) as an alternative. It is because the Moon is so near the Earth (comparatively talking) that its place within the sky varies based mostly on the place you’re on Earth. This variability might be as a lot as two levels in some areas.
Neptune will probably be at obvious magnitude 7.9 (when not being occulted) within the constellation of Pisces. The Moon will probably be a 3 days previous waxing crescent at 11%.
February 14: Comet C/2021 S3 (PANSTARRS) at perihelion
The comet C/2021 S3 (PANSTARRS) will attain perihelion on February 14, that means it’s going to attain the closest level in its orbit to the Solar at a distance of 1.32 AU. Regardless of this, it’s going to have an obvious magnitude of solely 9.4, so that you’ll want a big telescope to look at this comet. You probably have entry to such a telescope, look within the constellation of Ophiuchus.
I might not advise to make this perihelion right into a Saint Valentine’s date until your date is into astronomy. You’ve been warned!
February 15: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter
The Moon and Jupiter will probably be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 3°09′ of one another.
At across the identical time the 2 our bodies will even make a detailed method (appulse) reaching 2°53′ from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension.
The 2 celestial our bodies will meet within the constellation Aries with the Moon at obvious magnitude of -11.6 and Jupiter at -2.3. The Moon will probably be a 6 days previous waxing crescent at 41%.
February 15: Conjunction of Mars and Pluto
Mars and Pluto will probably be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 1°55′ of one another.
The 2 our bodies will meet within the constellation of Capricornus with an obvious magnitude of 1.3 for Mars and 15.2 for Pluto. The Moon will probably be a 6 days previous waxing crescent at 40%. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of Mercury and Pluto.)
February 16: Shut method of the Moon and the Pleiades
The Moon and the Pleiades (also referred to as M45 or Messier 45) will make a detailed method, passing inside solely 30.9 arcminutes of one another.
Each objects will probably be within the constellation of Taurus with the Moon being at obvious magnitude -12.0; and the Pleiades at 1.3. The Moon will probably be 7 days previous and waxing gibbous at 57%.
February 17: Conjunction of Venus and Pluto
Venus and Pluto will probably be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 2°42′ of one another.
The 2 our bodies will meet within the constellation of Capricornus with an obvious magnitude of -3.9 for Venus and 15.2 for Pluto. The Moon will probably be 8 days previous waxing gibbous at 70%. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of Mercury and Pluto.)
February 22: Conjunction of Venus and Mars
Venus and Mars will probably be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 38′ of one another.
At across the identical time the 2 our bodies will even make a detailed method (appulse) reaching 37.4 arcminutes from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension.
The 2 planets will meet within the constellation of Capricornus with an obvious magnitude of -3.9 for Venus and 1.3 for Mars. The Moon will probably be 13 days previous waxing gibbous at 98%. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of Mercury and Pluto.)
Moon Phases in February 2024
As , the Moon has a huge impact on the visibility of celestial our bodies within the night time sky. So listed here are the Moon’s phases for this month:
Positions of the Planets in February 2024
Mercury: The closest planet to the Solar might be seen at daybreak and nightfall travelling throughout the constellation of Capricornus after which Sagittarius later within the month. This planet, being the closest to the Solar, will seem to maneuver shortly within the night time sky and its place will change within the following weeks.
Venus: The sister planet might be seen travelling throughout the constellation of Sagittarius after which Capricornus. Identical to Mercury, Venus can solely be seen at daybreak and nightfall.
Mars: The crimson planet might be seen within the constellation of Sagittarius after which Capricornus.
Jupiter: The gasoline large is seen within the constellation of Aries. Jupiter can simply be noticed with the bare eye, even in extremely illuminated cities.
Saturn: The ringed large might be seen with the bare eye within the constellation of Aquarius.
Uranus: The ice large might be seen within the constellation of Aries with the usage of a telescope.
Neptune: The blue large requires a telescope pointed within the constellation of Pisces with a purpose to be seen.
Positions of Dwarf Planets and Giant Asteroids in February 2024
Ceres: The asteroid belt’s lone dwarf planet might be seen within the constellation of Sagittarius with the assistance of a telescope.
Vesta: This huge asteroid might be seen within the constellation of Taurus with a telescope.
Pallas: The asteroid might be noticed with a telescope within the constellation of Serpens.
Pluto: This distant dwarf planet might be discovered within the constellation of Capricornus with the assistance of a giant telescope.
Main astronomical occasions subsequent month – March 2024
- March 3: Asteroid 3 Juno at opposition.
- March 12: Asteroid 23 Thalia at opposition.
- March 14: γ-Normid meteor bathe peak.
- March 19: March equinox.
- March 24: Mercury at biggest japanese elongation.
- March 25: Penumbral lunar eclipse.
- March 30: Makemake at opposition.
Conclusion
Stargazing within the month of February 2024 guarantees to be a fascinating journey by the cosmos, providing each seasoned astronomers and beginner skywatchers alike a possibility to marvel on the wonders of the universe. As we gaze upward and ponder our place within the huge expanse of house, let the celestial occasions of this month encourage surprise and curiosity, reminding us of the boundless magnificence that surrounds us.
Blissful stargazing! And don’t overlook to subscribe to our publication under to obtain our stargazing calendar in your mailbox.
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