Full Stargazer’s Guide: 7 Extraordinary Astronomical Events in February 2025

30th Jan 2025
Full Stargazer’s Guide: 7 Extraordinary Astronomical Events in February 2025

February is loading, and the night sky has a few treats in store. Four planets will make their way into view, and while there’s only one meteor shower this month, it’s still worth watching. Whether you’re an early riser or a night owl, there’s something to catch, so mark your calendar and get ready to look up!

1 February: Moon Near Saturn, Venus & Neptune

Best viewing time: Just after sunset, around 6-7 PM local time
Location: Southwestern sky, low on the horizon

The first day of the month, and the night sky will put on a show you won’t want to miss. A delicate crescent Moon – just 12% illuminated – will gracefully line up with Venus, Saturn, and the elusive Neptune.

Venus will steal the spotlight as the dazzling “evening star,” shining brightly in the twilight. Saturn will follow close behind, adding its soft golden glow to the scene. And for those up for a challenge, Neptune will be lurking nearby, waiting to be discovered with a pair of binoculars or a small telescope. The Moon will act as a natural guide, leading your eyes across this stunning planetary trio. 

Moon near Venus, Saturn and Neptune
A crescent Moon near Venus, Saturn and Neptune on 1 February 2025. Credit: Pete Lawrence

8-9 February: α-Centaurid Meteor Shower 2025

Best viewing time: Late night to pre-dawn hours
Location: Southern Hemisphere regions

February has just one meteor shower to offer – the Alpha Centaurids, a fleeting but fascinating event exclusive to the Southern Hemisphere. Lasting till 21 February but peaking on the night of 8-9 February, this minor shower may produce up to six meteors per hour, but for many stargazers, it’s the first chance of the year to catch a shooting star.

meteor shower
Credit:NASA / Preston Dyches

RELATED: February’s Only Meteor Shower: the 2025 Alpha Centaurids Strikes the Sky!

The radiant lies in the constellation Centaurus, making it visible throughout the night for those south of the equator, with the best viewing in the pre-dawn hours after moonset. However, a waxing gibbous Moon at 84% illumination might make spotting fainter meteors tricky, so a dark sky location is key.

12 February: Full Snow Moon

Best viewing time: 13:53 UTC
Location: rises in the east, visible across entire sky

Full Snow Moon in February

Winter’s chill brings more than just frosty nights – it also ushers in February’s full moon, the enchanting Snow Moon, set to reach peak illumination on at 13:53 UTC.

For the most breathtaking view, find a spot with an open eastern horizon just after sunset, when the moon rises in all its luminous glory. Rooted in tradition, its name comes from Native American tribes who associated it with heavy snowfall, while some called it the Hungry Moon as a somber nod to winter’s hardships.

RELATED: Full Moon In February: The Enchanting Magic Of The Snow Moon

16 February: Venus at Greatest Brightness

Best viewing time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM local time
Location: western sky after sunset

In mid-February, Venus, known as the “Evening Star,” will blaze across the western sky, reaching its brightest point of the year at an astonishing magnitude of -4.9, outshining everything except the Sun and Moon.

Look to the western sky just after sunset, and you won’t miss it. Venus will be visible to the naked eye, and through a telescope, you’ll see its gorgeous crescent shape, only adding to the charm of this cosmic moment. This is a rare chance to see Venus at its peak brilliance – something astronomers eagerly anticipate every year.

Venus at Greatest Brightness
Credit: Vito Technology, Inc.

Fun fact: Venus shines brightest in its crescent phase, not when fully illuminated, as it’s closest to Earth during this time, creating a jaw-dropping light show.

25 February: Conjunction of Mercury and Saturn

Best viewing time: shortly after sunset, around 6:30-7:00 PM local time
Location: low in the western sky

This day, something special is happening in the sky: Mercury and Saturn are meeting up. These two planets will come within just 1°39′ of each other, offering a fleeting chance to see them side by side.

Conjunction of Mercury and Saturn
Credit: https://www.anytimeastro.com

To catch this spectacle, head outside around 6:30-7:00 PM local time, just after sunset. But don’t get too comfortable – the planets will be low in the western sky and only about 13° from the Sun, making them a bit tricky to spot. A pair of binoculars or a small telescope will be your best friends for this celestial encounter. It’s a rare moment to see these two worlds sharing the same space, so if you can, take a moment to enjoy it.

28 February: 7 Planets in the Planetary Alignment & New Moon

Best viewing time: 6:00-6:45 PM local time
Location: western horizon

At the end og the month, the night sky will set the stage for a spectacular cosmic alignment – a planetary parade featuring all seven visible planets in a breathtaking arc. This rare event, last seen in 2022, brings together Saturn, Mercury, Neptune, Venus, Uranus, Jupiter, and Mars, creating a celestial display that you don’t want to miss.

planetary alignment
Credit: MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRA/Getty Images/Science Photo Libra

While 21 January 21 offered a warm-up with six planets aligning, February’s event raises the stakes with the final piece of the puzzle – Mercury – joining the show.

RELATED: Best Space Photos Of The Week: Planetary Parade, Comet ATLAS, And Blue Ghost’s Stunning Earth Portrait [21-28 Jan]

Mars, Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury will be easy to spot, but Uranus and Neptune will need binoculars or a small telescope, and Saturn, low on the horizon, may be the trickiest catch. But here’s the mind-bending part: while these planets appear to line up, they’re actually separated by millions – or even billions – of miles.

New Moon

Best viewing time: 00:44 UTC

The New Moon will provide a dark canvas for this planetary showcase, enhancing visibility. At precisely 00:44 UTC, the moon will become virtually invisible, its illumination dropping to a mere 1.21%. It will rise at 07:29 AM and set at 06:48 PM, perfectly synchronizing with the sun’s path. Astronomers will note its fascinating details: the lunar disc will be 367,986 km from Earth, gradually moving closer to its perigee on 1st March.




Leave a Reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

Related Articles

Explore Orbital Today