Heres what to look for in this month’s night sky.
This month, night sky enthusiasts have a host of interstellar attractions to choose from.
For North American stargazers and astrophotographers, February also marks the return of the Milky Way core.
Credit:Westend61/Getty images
The bright, dynamic core of our home galaxy is visible in the northern hemisphere from February to October.
It rises earlier and earlier each night until fall.
Come for the Milky Way, stay for the planets and stars.
Heres what to look for in Februarys night sky.
The moon will be within one degree (or fingers width) of Spica by 3 a.m. Stay up late to catch the Milky Way core hovering just above the east-southeast horizon around 4 a.m. Look for the pair just five degrees, or three finger widths, apart after sunset.
The duo, visible in the western sky, will travel down toward the horizon through the night.
Pleiades will move down and further from the sun as the night wears on.
This asterism, located within the Taurus constellation, is a fan favorite among stargazers.
ET will see Februarys full snow moon at peak illumination.
The snow moon name stems from the correlation to Februarys traditionally heavy snowfall.
