9 night sky events to see in February, from a ring-of-fire eclipse to a snow moon
The month is packed with skywatching highlights—including six visible planets, an annular solar eclipse, and the Milky Way’s bright core returning to view in the Northern Hemisphere.
February may have fewer days, but it comes packed with sky-watching opportunities. This month brings a parade of six planets, several close approaches between the moon and our celestial neighbors, and the return of the Milky Way core in the Northern Hemisphere. Add in heightened aurora potential driven by recent solar activity, and February offers plenty of reasons to look up—if you know when and where to watch.
Full snow moon—February 1
February’s full moon, known as a full snow moon, will reach its peak illumination around 5 p.m. ET on Feb. 1. While it isn’t a supermoon, it’s still a striking sight, especially if you watch it rise above the horizon around sunset.
That’s when it looks not only larger, but bright orange. The name “snow moon” reflects the heavy winter snowfall typical of this time of year, a seasonal marker that arrives just ahead of Groundhog Day, on Feb. 2, when Punxsutawney Phil will weigh in on winter’s fate.
Alpha Centaurid meteor shower peaks—February 8
Meteor shower activity is relatively quiet early in the year, but February offers a modest showing with the Alpha Centaurids, which peaks on Feb. 8. This show, which runs from January 31 to February 20, could see up to six meteors per hour under dark, clear skies at peak.
It’s most visible in the Southern Hemisphere, although those in the Northern Hemisphere’s southern reaches, such as Mexico or southern California, may get a glimpse of streaking meteors, too. The show is best enjoyed after midnight local time. Look near the constellation Centaurus.
Annular solar eclipse—February 17
A ring-of-fire annular eclipse will grace some of Earth’s remotest skies on Feb. 17. During this type of solar eclipse, the moon is too far from Earth to cover the entire face of the sun. Instead, it blocks the core of it with the sun’s fiery fringes glowing along its edges.
While the full annular phase will be confined to Antarctica and the Southern Indian Ocean, observers in far southern parts of the Southern Hemisphere—including Argentina, Chile, Botswana, and much of southern Africa—may see a partial eclipse. (Mark your calendars for next February’s annular eclipse, which will be much more visible, crossing over much of South America and Africa.)
Moon-Mercury conjunction—February 18
Just one day after the new moon, a thin crescent—within a binocular view—will appear close to Mercury after sunset on Feb. 18 To see them, find an unobstructed view of the west, as both will appear close to the horizon line. You can spot them for around an hour or two after dusk. Watch for nearby Saturn and Venus while you’re out there. (Be sure the sun has fully set before using binoculars or a telescope to observe Mercury.)
(How to see the planet from above and below.)
Mercury greatest eastern elongation—February 19
Mercury, often lost in the sun’s glare, reaches its greatest eastern elongation on Feb. 19. This is when the speedy planet is at its furthest point from the sun—making it an especially good time to admire it. Mercury’s greatest elongation strikes at an ideal time, too, with a moon conjunction and a planet parade on the docket for this month. Watch it close above the west horizon after sunset.
Crescent moon meets Saturn—February 19
A barely-there waxing crescent moon will transit alongside Saturn the evening of February 19. The moon, just two days old, will look like a thin fingernail above the ringed planet. Admire the duo above the west horizon for around two hours after sunset.
Moon nears Pleiades—February 23
See the waxing crescent moon and sparkly Pleiades travel near each other in the night sky on Feb. 23. Look high in the southwest after sunset to spot the pair, which will drift westward through the first half of the night before setting around 2 a.m.
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Planet parade—Late February
Late February brings an extended lineup of six planets visible across the evening sky. While you may see reports linking this spectacle with one specific day, the planet parade is ongoing for much of late February, from around Feb 20 into early March. It’s an early evening extravaganza; the best view hits soon after dusk.
Watch for Venus, Mercury, and Saturn hanging together above the west horizon, setting within an hour of sunset. Neptune will travel near Saturn (a telescope or binoculars will be required for viewing); Jupiter will be about halfway up the sky in the east, with Uranus (telescope or binoculars also required) high in the south near the Pleiades star cluster.
Milky Way core view returns—Late February
The bright, dense center of the Milky Way is not visible year-round from continental North America, spending much of winter hidden below the horizon. That changes in late February, when the galactic core begins to reappear in far-southern U.S. skies. Dark-sky destinations such as Big Bend National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve offer especially good viewing thanks to minimal light pollution.
(10 weird things you (probably) didn't know about the Milky Way.)
In February, the Milky Way’s core rises just above the southeastern horizon during the pre-dawn hours, a few hours before sunrise. Visibility improves steadily in March and beyond as the core climbs higher and remains visible for longer stretches of the night.
