February 2012 Planetary Positions
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Venus
Venus was the Morning and Evening Star of ancient civilizations such as those of the Greeks, Romans, and
Sumerians. The planet outshines every other body in the sky, except the Sun and the Moon, and sometimes it's
even bright enough to cast faint shadows. No wonder that its brilliant gleaming in the twilight skies inspired the
Romans to name it Venus, for their goddess of love and beauty. Shining brilliantly in the southwestern sky soon
after sunset, Venus will immediately grab your attention. On February 1, the planet glows at magnitude -4.1 and
does not set until around 8:30 P.M. local time. By month's end, Venus remains visible until 9:30 P.M. local time and
also shines brighter, at magnitude 4.2.
Venus was the Morning and Evening Star of ancient civilizations such as those of the Greeks, Romans, and
Sumerians. The planet outshines every other body in the sky, except the Sun and the Moon, and sometimes it's
even bright enough to cast faint shadows. No wonder that its brilliant gleaming in the twilight skies inspired the
Romans to name it Venus, for their goddess of love and beauty. Shining brilliantly in the southwestern sky soon
after sunset, Venus will immediately grab your attention. On February 1, the planet glows at magnitude -4.1 and
does not set until around 8:30 P.M. local time. By month's end, Venus remains visible until 9:30 P.M. local time and
also shines brighter, at magnitude 4.2.
Jupiter
The solar system's largest planet glares in the southwest during evening, among the background stars of Aries, an inconspicuous constellation
of the zodiac located between Pisces to the west and Taurus to the east. You will not need any help spotting Jupiter; at magnitude -2.3 it is the
second-brightest point of light in the sky and stands out on any clear evening.
The solar system's largest planet glares in the southwest during evening, among the background stars of Aries, an inconspicuous constellation
of the zodiac located between Pisces to the west and Taurus to the east. You will not need any help spotting Jupiter; at magnitude -2.3 it is the
second-brightest point of light in the sky and stands out on any clear evening.
Saturn
Saturn looks like a bright golden star. This month, Saturn rises shortly before midnight and is 40 degrees high in the south as dawn begins. The
ringed planet resides among the background stars of Virgo the Maiden and remains within about 5 degrees of the blue-white star Spica all month.
Through a telescope, Saturn sports an angular size of 18", while the rings span 41" and tilt 15 degrees to our line of sight.
Saturn looks like a bright golden star. This month, Saturn rises shortly before midnight and is 40 degrees high in the south as dawn begins. The
ringed planet resides among the background stars of Virgo the Maiden and remains within about 5 degrees of the blue-white star Spica all month.
Through a telescope, Saturn sports an angular size of 18", while the rings span 41" and tilt 15 degrees to our line of sight.
Uranus
Uranus lies in the same binocular field of view as Lambda Piscium, the star that forms the southeast corner of the "Circlet" in Pisces, and is itself
an easy binocular target. The planet glows at magnitude +5.9 and looks just like a star of that brightness. A telescope easily reveals its
3.3"-diameter disk, which has a distinct blue-green color.
Uranus lies in the same binocular field of view as Lambda Piscium, the star that forms the southeast corner of the "Circlet" in Pisces, and is itself
an easy binocular target. The planet glows at magnitude +5.9 and looks just like a star of that brightness. A telescope easily reveals its
3.3"-diameter disk, which has a distinct blue-green color.
Neptune
Neptune is too deep in the solar glare and cannot be observed until early April, when it will reappear in the morning sky. Neptune moved into the
constellation of Pisces on February 3, 2012 where it will remain for the next thirteen years.
Neptune is too deep in the solar glare and cannot be observed until early April, when it will reappear in the morning sky. Neptune moved into the
constellation of Pisces on February 3, 2012 where it will remain for the next thirteen years.
Pluto
The solar system's smallest and most distant planet is never visible without the aid of a good-sized telescope. Pluto lies in northwestern
Sagittarius and stands 30 degrees high in the southeast shortly before dawn. The dwarf planet glows dimly at magnitude +14, which means you
will need an 8-inch telescope to have a decent chance of spotting this glimmer of light.
The solar system's smallest and most distant planet is never visible without the aid of a good-sized telescope. Pluto lies in northwestern
Sagittarius and stands 30 degrees high in the southeast shortly before dawn. The dwarf planet glows dimly at magnitude +14, which means you
will need an 8-inch telescope to have a decent chance of spotting this glimmer of light.
Astronomy
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Mercury
The solar system's smallest planet flits back and forth from morning sky to evening sky several times a year. It
never strays far from the Sun in our sky, so it's tough to find in the glare. During the month's final days, Mercury, the
innermost and smallest planet of the solar system, hugs the western horizon right after sunset. A good night to
look is February 22, when a waxing crescent Moon lies 5 degrees to Mercury's right.
The solar system's smallest planet flits back and forth from morning sky to evening sky several times a year. It
never strays far from the Sun in our sky, so it's tough to find in the glare. During the month's final days, Mercury, the
innermost and smallest planet of the solar system, hugs the western horizon right after sunset. A good night to
look is February 22, when a waxing crescent Moon lies 5 degrees to Mercury's right.
Mars
Mars pokes above the eastern horizon around 8 P.M. local time and is well up in the south soon after midnight. The
planet is on its way to opposition next month, when it will be at its closest approach to Earth and will reach a width of
4". Right now, the disk is less than 13"-wide, making it harder to see fine surface detail even with large apertures.
Mars pokes above the eastern horizon around 8 P.M. local time and is well up in the south soon after midnight. The
planet is on its way to opposition next month, when it will be at its closest approach to Earth and will reach a width of
4". Right now, the disk is less than 13"-wide, making it harder to see fine surface detail even with large apertures.
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