During the first week of February Venus joins the parade of planets. It moves higher above the western horizon each day as it approaches Jupiter. Looking in this direction, we are gazing across the inner solar system — seeing Venus orbit out from behind the sun, and out into the outer solar system to Jupiter.
At mid-month, three famous constellations are visible in the sky at the same time (around 8 p.m.). In the northwest is the great square of Pegasus, Orion is on the meridian and Leo the Lion is rising in the east. The Moon won’t be rising until about 5 a.m.
NOTEABLE EVENTS:
Feb 4 (Sat) Moon at Apogee
5 (Sun) Full Moon
16 (Thu) Sun enters Aquarius
19 (Sun) Moon at Perigee
20 (Mon) New Moon
One of Canada’s foremost writers and educators on astronomical topics, the Almanac has benefited from Robert’s expertise since its inception. Robert is passionate about reducing light pollution and promoting science literacy. He has been an astronomy instructor for our astronauts and he ensures that our section on sunrise and sunset, stargazing, and celestial events is so detailed and extensive it is almost like its own almanac.
