February 2025 is a thrilling month for stargazers, with a spectacular lineup of stargazing events this month, including planet pairings, moon-planet rendezvous, and a rare seven-planet parade.
From dark-sky escapes to local parks, this month promises plenty of opportunities to enjoy the night sky, even for those facing light pollution.
Key February Night Sky Events
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- February 1: The Moon Aligns with Venus and Saturn
- Start the month by looking at the southwestern sky after sunset. A crescent Moon will cozy up to bright Venus, with Saturn positioned below. These celestial bodies will travel together, setting a few hours after the sun, creating a beautiful sight in the early evening.
- February 6: The Moon Joins Jupiter
- On February 6, the Moon will have a close approach to Jupiter. This pairing will be visible in the southern sky after sunset, creating a dazzling display. As they dance together, keep an eye out for the orange glow of Mars nearby.
- February 9: A Mars-Moon Alignment
- The Moon will continue its journey through the sky, visiting Mars on February 9. Look for the nearly full Moon in the southwest, shining brightly near the Red Planet, adding to the evening’s beauty. Both will set just before sunrise on February 10.
- February 12: Full Snow Moon
- Mark your calendars for February 12, when the year’s second full moon, the Snow Moon, reaches its peak illumination at 8:53 AM ET. This moon is named for February’s heavy snow and will appear particularly photogenic near the horizon during February 11 and 12 evenings.
- February 14: Valentine’s Day Venus
- If you’re looking for a romantic stargazing experience on Valentine’s Day, Venus will be at its brightest, peaking at 9 AM ET. As the sun sets, look for this brilliant planet in the western sky, where it will follow Saturn down toward the horizon. This dazzling display makes February 14 an ideal night for lovers of the night sky, as Venus won’t shine this brightly again until September 2026.
- February 28: A Parade of Seven Planets
- The month concludes with a spectacular seven-planet parade on February 28. This rare event allows observers to witness all seven planets in the night sky simultaneously, with Mercury joining the lineup. While it may be challenging to spot Mercury due to its proximity to the sun, viewers can look for it, and Saturn can be seen just above the western horizon. The rest of the planets—Venus, Jupiter, Mars, Uranus, and Neptune—will also be visible, although spotting the latter two may require a telescope.
Stargazing Highlights
Throughout February, the night sky will be filled with bright planets:
- Mercury: Visible just above the horizon as February progresses.
- Venus: Shining brilliantly in the west after sunset.
- Mars: The bright orange planet high in the east during the evenings, setting a couple of hours before sunrise.
- Jupiter: This giant planet will be visible high in the sky, looking incredibly bright.
- Saturn: While somewhat faint, Saturn will be visible low in the west for the first hour after sunset.
Daily Highlights
- February 1: After sunset, the crescent Moon and Venus will snuggle up in the west, with Saturn below.
- February 5: The Moon will appear just a finger’s width west of the Pleiades star cluster before crossing in front of it.
- February 6: The Moon will form a line with Jupiter and the reddish star Aldebaran in Taurus.
- February 9: The nearly full Moon will shine three finger widths below Mars, with bright stars Pollux and Castor in Gemini just north.
- February 12: A full Snow Moon will be visible.
Northern lights season continues in February, though the timing of sightings remains unpredictable. Stargazers can consult aurora-hunting guides to increase their chances of witnessing the enchanting lights.
With such a wide variety of celestial displays, February 2025 promises to be an exciting month for all who enjoy the wonders of the night sky. Whether gazing at the planet alignment in February 2025, watching the Snow Moon, or catching Venus at its brightest, this month offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy stargazing events.
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