In the event you’re searching for the moon, you will not be capable to see it tonight. That is as a result of the moon is getting into the new moon phase, throughout which the half of its floor that faces the Earth can be in full darkness.
The moon seems in four main phases over a interval of 29.5 days, beginning with the new moon, rising to the primary quarter moon (during which the moon is half-lit), then rising to the full moon, and eventually shrinking right down to the final quarter moon (during which the moon can also be half-lit).
This cycle is as a result of place of the moon, the Earth, and the sun. The moon doesn’t emit its personal gentle however as an alternative displays the sunshine from the sun, so when the moon is between the Earth and the sun, its illuminated face is going through the sun, whereas the face that we see is darkish. The full moon, however, happens when the Earth is between the moon and the sun, permitting us to see the total illuminated face. (And when the positioning of the three celestial our bodies is simply proper, given the moon’s tilted orbit, we find yourself with solar and lunar eclipses.)
Associated: Night sky, February 2023: What you can see tonight
Whilst you will not be capable to see the moon tonight, the darkish skies are good for stargazing, because the moon is not going to be polluting the night time sky with its mirrored daylight. That offers you an opportunity to see some fainter celestial objects — as long as you get away from artifical gentle air pollution!
Whilst you’re out, be certain to find and benefit from the Winter Triangle. This asterism, or grouping of stars, is fashioned by the three brightest seen stars of the season: Sirius, Betelgeuse and Procyon. In the event you can find the Winter Triangle, from there you may spot their respective constellations: Canis Main, Orion, and Canis Minor.
At sundown, look to the southeast to identify the Winter Triangle. It is likely to be best to find well-known Orion, from which you’ll find Betelgeuse. It’s the second brightest star within the constellation and types the Hunter’s proper shoulder.
Jupiter and Venus are glorious objects of curiosity this month within the western skies, and the 2 planets are in reality moving closer together all through February earlier than assembly up on March 1. Catch them early, although; the pair set pretty early within the night. Mars can also be nonetheless pretty shiny all through the month.
Learn extra: The brightest planets in February’s night sky: How to see them (and when)
In the event you’re an skilled skywatcher with a big telescope, there may be additionally a comet making what may very well be its first and only pass by the sun, which may make for a difficult however fascinating goal within the moonless sky.
In the event you’re new to stargazing, otherwise you’re searching for an gear improve, our lists of the best telescopes and best binoculars are a useful instrument for getting a close-up take a look at the night time sky. And in case you’re seeking to take photographs of the night time sky, take a look at our guides to the best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography.
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