By John Loci

Today in Astronomy History

February 9, 1497
Nicolaus Copernicus observes the lunar occulation the star Aldebaran.

February 9, 1971
Apollo 14 returns to Earth after a successful Moon landing.

February 9, 1986
Halley's Comet reach perihelion (closest pass to the Sun).

February 9, 1986
Halley's Comet reaches the 30th observed perihelion

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February 2010

The New Moon for February occurs on Saturday February 13th. This makes that weekend February 13-14 the absolute best weekend for dark sky observing.

Mercury is observable in the morning hours of the month and is located, at the start of the month, in the constellation Sagittarius (The Archer). On February 9^th, Mercury moves into the constellation Capricornus (The Sea Goat), and on February 27^th, Mercury moves into the constellation Aquarius (The Water Bearer).

Sunrise, February,27^th - On February 27^th and 28^th Mercury passes
less than 2° of the planet Neptune.

The start of February finds Venus emerging from the Glare of the evening Sunset.  Venus is observable all evening, all month.  Venus begins the month in the constellation Capricornus (The Sea Goat) and on February 8^th, crosses into the constellation Aquarius (The Water Bearer).

Sunset, February 9th - Venus passes less than 1° of the planet Neptune.

Sunset, February 16th - Venus passes less than 0°32’ of Jupiter. The waxing, crescent Moon passes 4°45' of Uranus.

Since Mars reach Opposition on January 29^th, Mars is in excellent position for observing, all night, all month.  Mars is located in the constellation Cancer in February, moving in retrograde motion.

Sunset to the East, February 5^th - Between February 1^st and February 10^th you may find Mars between 3°30’ and 4° of the Beehive Cluster (M44).

Jupiter can be observed the first week of February in the evening before it disappears into the Glare of the Sunset around February 8^th. Jupiter is located, this month, in to constellation Aquarius (The Water Bearer).

Since Saturn will reach Opposition next month, on March 21^st.  Saturn is in excellent position for observing all month.  Saturn rises around 9:25 pm (PST) at the start or February and by the end of the month will rise around 7:30 pm (PST).

February 2^nd - The waning, gibbous Moon passes less than 8°15’ of Saturn.

Uranus is located in the constellation Pisces (The Fish) until May 2011.  Uranus is observable in the evening hours of February, setting around 8:35 pm (PST) at the start of the month and setting around 6:55 pm (PST) at the end of February.

Sunset, February 16th - The waxing, crescent Moon passes 4°45' of Uranus. Venus passes less than 0°32’ of Jupiter.

At the end of the month, Uranus will disappear into the glare of the sunset.

Due to its proximity to the Sun, Neptune is not observable this month.  Neptune is located in the constellation Capricornus (The Sea Goat) until March 2010.

Sunset, February 9th - Venus passes less than 1° of the planet Neptune.

Pluto is located in the constellation Sagittarius (The Archer) until the year 2023.  Pluto is observable in the morning hours of February, rising around 4:15 am at the start of the month and rising around 2:35 am (PST) at the end.

Sunrise, February 9^th - The waning, crescent Moon passes less than
8°10’ of Pluto.

2/2/2010 Waning, gibbous moon passes within 8°15' from Saturn

2/5/2010 Last Quarter Moon

2/5/2010 Mars passes the Beehive Cluster (M44) less than 3°30'

2/9/2010 Venus and Neptune in conjunction within 1° of each other

2/9/2010 Waning, crescent moon passes within 9°10' of Pluto

2/13/2010 New Moon

2/16/2010 Venus and Jupiter in close conjunction, less than 0°32'

2/16/2010 Waning, crescent moon passes within 4°45' of Uranus

2/21/2010 First Quarter Moon

2/27/2010 Mercury and Neptune in conjunction within 2° of each other

2/28/2010 Full Worm Moon

2/28/2010 Mercury and Neptune in conjunction within 2° of each other