| February 1 by way of 29 | Orion, the Hunter dominates the night time sky |
| February 14 | Comet C/2021 S3 (PanSTARRS) closest method to the solar |
| February 24 | Full Snow Moon |
| February 29 | Leap Day |
February brings with it weather-forecasting rodents and romance, however a Valentine’s Day comet and Leap Day makes February 2024 much more thrilling. The shortest month of yearly has a few strong alternatives for wanting up on the night time sky and catching distinctive celestial our bodies. If you’re within the Northern Hemisphere, that winter chill makes the sky a little simpler to see as a consequence of colder and less-hazy air. Here are some of the cosmic occasions to maintain your eye on with your Valentine (or groundhog).
[Related: Why we turn stars into constellations.]
February 1 by way of 29–Orion, the Hunter dominates the night time sky
One of the brightest constellations within the sky shall be dominant this month. Orion, the Hunter shall be most seen within the sky in direction of the south after midnight native time. It’s finest to search for the three stars that make up Orion’s Belt. These three stars type a straight line on the midsection of the Hunter.
Over a dozen stars make up this constellation, however there are two significantly vibrant spots named Betelgeuse and Rigel. The purple supergiant Betelgeuse shines on Orion’s proper shoulder. Betelgeuse is simply about 10 million years outdated, making it a child in comparison with our practically 5 billion-year outdated solar. The constellation’s brightest star is the blue supergiant Rigel, positioned in direction of The Hunter’s left foot. Rigel is about 8 million years outdated and is 36,000 levels Fahrenheit at its floor.
February 14–Comet C/2021 S3 (PanSTARRS) closest method to the solar
This comet C/2021 S3 (PanSTARRS) will attain its closest level to the solar–or perihelion–on Valentine’s Day. It will shine at very vibrant magnitude (7.3), it must be pretty seen if it’s a clear night time. If you might be within the northeastern United States, look in direction of the southeastern horizon not less than two hours earlier than daybreak. The comet will attain its closest (however not harmful) method to Earth this yr on March 14th.
[Related: Why leap years exist.]
February 24–Full Snow Moon
February’s full moon will attain its peak illumination at 7:30 a.m. EST on Saturday, February 24. It will nonetheless seem full Friday night time. It will drift above the horizon in direction of the east round sundown and ought to attain its highest level within the sky at about midnight on Saturday.
The title snow moon is fairly easy, as February is understood for heavy snowfall. It can also be known as the When the Bear Cubs are Born Moon or Makoonsag-gaa-nitaawaadi-giizis in Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe), Midwinter Moon, or Tsha’tekohselha in Oneida, and the Little Sister of the Waning Moon or Tahch’awɛka Tehekuma in Tunica.
February 29–Leap Day
It’s not one thing you may see from Earth, however Leap Day is technically an astronomical occasion.
It takes our planet about 365.2422 days to make one full revolution across the solar. That means there are about six extra hours in yearly that aren’t included within the calendar yr. So each 4 years, now we have 24 extra hours so as to add to the calendar on the finish of February. If there was no Leap Day, annual occasions together with the summer season and winter solstices or vernal and autumnal equinoxes would shift round to later within the yr. According to NASA, it will take solely 100 years for the summer season to begin in mid-July as a substitute of June.
The identical skygazing guidelines that apply to just about all star gazing actions are key this month: Go to a darkish spot away from the lights of a metropolis or city and let your eyes modify to the darkness for about a half an hour.