Best Night Sky Events of February 2016 (Stargazing Maps)

News
By Geoff Gaherty
published

Mars, February 2016

Starry Night Software

Mars, in the morning sky, will be in Libra all month. Its tiny disk grows from 7 to 9 arc seconds during the month, as it moves towards opposition on May 22. Observers with good telescopes should begin to see some of the dark markings on Mars' surface this month.

Jupiter, February 2016

Starry Night Software

Jupiter is now rising around 9 p.m. and shines brightly in Leo the rest of the night.

Saturn, February 2016

Starry Night Software

Saturn is well placed in Ophiuchus in the morning sky. Its rings are now spread widely, making it a beautiful sight in a small telescope.

Uranus, February 2016

Starry Night Software

Uranus sets in the west in mid-evening.

Neptune, February 2016

Starry Night Software

Neptune is in conjunction with the sun on 28th, making it too close to the sun to be observed all month.

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Geoff Gaherty
Geoff Gaherty
Starry Night Sky Columnist

Geoff Gaherty was Space.com's Night Sky columnist and in partnership with Starry Night software and a dedicated amateur astronomer who sought to share the wonders of the night sky with the world. Based in Canada, Geoff studied mathematics and physics at McGill University and earned a Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Toronto, all while pursuing a passion for the night sky and serving as an astronomy communicator. He credited a partial solar eclipse observed in 1946 (at age 5) and his 1957 sighting of the Comet Arend-Roland as a teenager for sparking his interest in amateur astronomy. In 2008, Geoff won the Chant Medal from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, an award given to a Canadian amateur astronomer in recognition of their lifetime achievements. Sadly, Geoff passed away July 7, 2016 due to complications from a kidney transplant, but his legacy continues at Starry Night.