February brings gorgeous winter skies filled with bright planets, iconic constellations, and one of the season’s most striking lunar events. Whether you’re stepping outside with just your eyes or firing up a telescope, there’s plenty to explore.
Full Snow Moon — Feb 1
The month starts with the Full Snow Moon lighting up the evening sky — named for the heavy winter snow typical of this time of year. Look for the moon climbing in the eastern sky around sunset on February 1. This event offers a great chance to enjoy the Moon’s craters and highlands even with binoculars.
Viewing Tips:
⭐ Best seen shortly after moonrise toward the east
📸 Easy to photograph against snowy landscapes or treetops
🔭 Gear to Try
- Celestron SkyMaster 25x70mm Porro Binoculars — Excellent for lunar detail and wide-field views.
- Celestron NexStar 6SE Computerized Telescope — Great all-around scope for lunar and planet observing.
New Moon & Dark Skies — Feb 16
With the New Moon on February 16, skies become darker — perfect for deep-sky observing. This is a great time to seek out nebulae and star clusters that can be washed out by moonlight on brighter nights.
Targets to Try:
🌌 Orion Nebula (M42) — bright and stunning
⭐ Pleiades (M45) — beautiful cluster in Taurus
✨ Hyades Cluster — wide open cluster near Aldebaran
🔭 Gear to Try
- Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope — Incredible detail for deep-sky objects.
- Sky-Watcher Classic 200P Dobsonian — Bright deep-sky views with simple manual control.
Planet Highlights This Month
Jupiter — Bright in the Evening
Jupiter continues to be a dominant evening object, bright and easy to spot. Small telescopes show its cloud bands and the four large Galilean moons dancing around it.
Tip: Look for Jupiter high in the southern sky after sunset.
🔭 Recommended Gear
- Celestron NexStar 6SE Telescope — Ideal for crisp planetary views.
Mars — Reddish Target
Mars makes itself known this month by its distinct reddish glow, visible even without optics. It’s fainter than Jupiter but still a striking feature in the evening sky.
Seeing Tip: Mars rises later in the evening — look for its orange hue.
Venus & Saturn at Dusk
Early in February, Venus shines brightly low after sunset, with Saturn nearby. This pairing is best seen in the western sky just after the Sun sets.
Tips:
🌅 Best viewed just after sunset
🔭 Binoculars help pick out Saturn’s rings
Winter Constellations Are Prime
February showcases some of the most dramatic winter constellations in the northern sky, led by Orion the Hunter.
Constellations to Spot:
✨ Orion — with its belt and the Orion Nebula
⭐ Taurus — home of Aldebaran and the Pleiades
🌟 Gemini — marked by bright Castor and Pollux
🚀 Canis Major — shining Sirius, the brightest star
February Stargazing Tips
Dress in layers and stay warm — winter nights are cold but clear.
Use a red flashlight to keep your night vision.
Dark skies = better deep-sky views — travel out of town if possible.
Final Thoughts
February 2026 rewards skywatchers with bright planets, a stunning Snow Moon, and beautiful winter constellations. Whether you’re just getting started or want detailed views through a telescope, there’s plenty to explore — so step outside and enjoy the cosmos! 🌟
Clear skies! 🔭✨
Sources & References
- EarthSky — Visible Planets Tonight https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/visible-planets-tonight-mars-jupiter-venus-saturn-mercury/
- Star Walk — Night Sky Events (Feb 2026) https://starwalk.space/en/news/night-sky-tonight-february
- Time and Date — Night Sky Map https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/night/
- Winter Constellations Guide https://www.constellation-guide.com/seasonal-constellations/winter-constellations/