Stargazing Guide: February 2026
February is a month where winter’s bold figures dominate the early night, the planets march toward a rare lineup, and the Moon cycles through some of the most striking phases of the year. Whether you’re bundled up in a cold backyard or camped under truly dark skies, there’s plenty to explore.
Moonwatching This Month
The Moon is a great first target — bright, familiar, and ever-changing.
Major Lunar Phases (Eastern U.S. Times):
• Full Moon — Snow Moon: Feb. 1 around sunset, gleaming full in the east soon after dark.
• Last Quarter: Feb. 9 morning.
• New Moon: Feb. 17 early morning — darkest skies for deep stargazing.
• First Quarter: Feb. 24 morning — half illuminated. 👉 The Snow Moon is one of the most photogenic lunar phases. On the evenings toward Feb. 1, watch it rise close to the horizon, glowing large thanks to atmospheric tricks that make it seem enormous.
Meteor & Special Celestial Events
Meteor Activity:
February doesn’t host any major northern meteor showers with high rates like the Perseids or Geminids, but minor activity from sources like the Alpha Centaurids can linger early in the month.
Solar Eclipse (Antarctica):
There’s an annular solar eclipse on Feb. 17, 2026, where the Moon would leave a “ring of fire” profile — though this one is only visible from remote Antarctica. Please never look directly at the Sun without certified solar filters.
Planets to Watch
At a glance: February 2026 is special because multiple planets are arranged roughly along the ecliptic, forming what’s sometimes called a planet parade late in the month.
Which Planets You Can See
Jupiter:
• Bright and dominating the eastern sky after sunset.
• It’s just past its opposition glow from January, so it’s well placed for months including February.
• Easy to spot with naked eyes; binoculars reveal its four moons; small telescopes show cloud band striping.
Venus & Mercury:
• Low in the west after sunset. Venus is blindingly bright. Mercury is trickier — near the horizon and brief before sunset. Saturn:
• Also in the evening twilight; fainter and closer to the horizon. A small telescope will help tease out ring detail. Uranus & Neptune:
• These ice giants can show up in binoculars/telescopes when skies are truly dark — star-hopers only! 🌟 Late Month Alignment: Around Feb. 28, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune will all trace a line along the dusk sky’s ecliptic. This isn’t a strict straight line across the whole sky, but a nice chain to pick off one by one.
Constellations Around Midnight (10 p.m. to 1 a.m.)
Here are a handful of circumpolar or prominent constellations that circle above much of the night sky this time of year. Circumpolar means they never dip below your horizon at mid-northern latitudes.
1. Ursa Major (Big Bear)
• Naked eye: Find the Big Dipper — its “bowl” points right to Polaris.
• Binoculars: Check out faint companions and star chains within the Bear.
• Notes: Its stars never set and swirl through the northwestern sky late at night.
2. Cassiopeia
• Naked eye: Look for the bright, glittering W shape.
• Binoculars/Telescope: Great for exploring star clusters within and below the W’s arms.
3. Draco
• Naked eye: A zigzag dragon winding between Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.
• Binoculars: Deep-sky objects like NGC 6543 (Cat’s Eye Nebula) can be challenging but rewarding targets.
4. Camelopardalis
• Naked eye: Really faint — the pattern isn’t dramatic, but its place between the big circumpolar figures makes it fun to trace.
• Binoculars: Good for spotting subtle dark patches and asterisms.
5. Ursa Minor (Little Bear)
• Naked eye: Home to Polaris, perched at the tip of the tail.
• Binoculars: Star fields around the Little Dipper are rich.
These stay up high Phoenix-like through the long winter night — drift from north to northwest as the night deepens.
February’s Seasonal Tour (East → South → West)
This section walks you through constellations that rise in the east after sunset, climb high in the southern sky, then drift west as the night unfolds. Each is ripe for exploration.
Orion — The Hunter (Very Familiar)
Naked Eye:
• Look east soon after dark for the iconic belt of three stars.
• Above and below that belt lie bright Betelgeuse and Rigel, contrasting in color.
Binoculars/Telescope:
• Scan Orion’s Sword beneath the belt — the Orion Nebula is a treat even in binoculars.
Where to Look:
• Early evening in the east, overhead late night, toward west by 1 a.m.
Taurus — The Bull
Naked Eye:
• Look for the V-shape of its face with bright Aldebaran.
Binoculars:
• The Pleiades cluster is a sparkly binocular favorite.
Where to Look:
• Rising behind Orion in the east, highest near midnight, west before dawn.
Auriga — The Charioteer
Naked Eye:
• Bright star Capella dominates like a beacon in early evening northern skies.
Binoculars:
• Explore open clusters around the shape Otter-trail fashion.
Where to Look:
• Low northeast soon after sunset, climbing high through the night.
Gemini — The Twins
Naked Eye:
• Two side-by-side stars (Castor and Pollux) make this easy to spot.
Binoculars:
• Lots of scattered star clusters between and around the twins.
Where to Look:
• East after sunset, south toward midnight, west later.
Canis Major — The Big Dog
Naked Eye:
• Look for Sirius below Orion — the brightest star in the night sky.
Binoculars:
• Explore sweeping star fields around Sirius.
Where to Look:
• Follows Orion across the southern sky.
Tips and Tricks for February Stargazing
✨ Moon Phases Matter
• Darker skies near the New Moon (Feb. 17) make deep sky objects and faint stars much easier to see.
✨ Warmth & Comfort
• Winter nights are cold. Bring layers, insulated seating, and warm drinks.
✨ Use Star Patterns First
• Start with big asterisms like Orion’s Belt, the Big Dipper, or the Winter Triangle to orient yourself before diving into fainter patterns.
✨ Let Your Eyes Adapt
• Give yourself at least 20 minutes in the dark to see faint stars — and avoid looking at bright screens.
✨ Binoculars First
• A simple 10×50 pair dramatically opens up clusters, nebulae, and fainter planets before you graduate to telescopes.
✨ Plan Around the Moon
• Bright Moon can wash out faint fuzzies; try to schedule deep-sky nights near the New Moon or first/last quarter for the crisp contrast of lunar shadows.
