The planet Jupiter remains prominent in the southern sky shining at magnitude –2.4 in the zodiacal constellation of Taurus (The bull), and transits the local meridian at 7:18 pm. The planet lies 1.7 degrees N of the Moon on Feb 18th.
The lovely ringed planet Saturn is now rising in the SSW midway between the constellations of Libra & Virgo, and shines with the brilliance of a +0.52 star. The rings are nicely placed for observation using a small telescope.
All of the Winter constellations remain on view in the southern sky. Orion (The hunter) is very prominent with its four main stars divided by the 3 stars in the hunter’s belt. Follow them up the sky into the east and you will find Taurus with Jupiter shining like yellow jewel. Follow them down to the west and you encounter Canis Major (The great dog).
Gemini (The twins), Auriga (The Charioteer) and Eridanus (The river) are all on view now. 10 x 50 Binoculars will show you many fine star clusters and some nebulae like M42 in Orion a little below the hunter’s belt.
February is a nice time to observe the night sky as the nights start to get shorter as we approach the spring equinox in mid March.
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