The ‘Snow Moon’ Rises As Venus Meets Mars: The Evening Sky This Week

Every Monday, I select North America’s celestial highlights for the week forward (which additionally apply to mid-northern latitudes within the northern hemisphere), however make sure you examine my principal feed for extra in-depth articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses and extra.

The Evening Sky This Week: February 19-25, 2024

The spotlight for sky-watchers this week is undoubtedly the rise of the complete “Snow Moon,” which simply occurs to be the smallest full moon of the 12 months—the other of a supermoon. In follow, it’s going to nonetheless look massive significantly in case you view it because it rises on the east throughout nightfall on Saturday.

There are few different fascinating celestial occasions to be careful for, together with a waxing crescent moon in Gemini, and Venus and Mars showing to cross shut to one another.

Right here’s all the things it’s worthwhile to learn about stargazing and astronomy this week:

Tuesday, February 20: Moon In Gemini

Look to the japanese evening sky after the solar goes down, and also you’ll see a 90%-lit waxing crescent moon hanging only a diploma or so beneath Pollux, the brightest star within the constellation Gemini. Above will likely be Castor, the opposite of the “twins” of Gemini. Pollux and Castor are 52 and 34 light-years from the photo voltaic system, respectively, and the forty sixth and seventeenth brightest stars within the evening sky.

Thursday, February 22: Venus And Mars

There are few extra stunning celestial sights than two huge, vibrant planets showing to cross shut to at least one one other. Sadly, that’s not likely the case this morning, as an excellent Venus seems subsequent to a really dim Mars. Nevertheless, it’s shut—simply 0.6 of a level—and with a pair of binoculars, you must be capable of see the sight within the southeastern pre-dawn sky when you’ve got binoculars. Venus will likely be easy to search out and you need to use it as a information to search out Mars, to its decrease proper.

Friday, February 23: Moon And Regulus

A waxing gibbous moon, 99% illuminated, will shine a number of levels from Regulus, the brightest star within the constellation Leo, “the lion,” after darkish within the japanese evening sky. Regulus, “star of the Lion’s breast,” is 77 light-years distant and the twenty first brightest star within the evening sky.

Saturday, February 24: Full ‘Snow Moon’

Greatest seen at moonrise the place you might be tonight, the second full moon of 2024 and the third of winter within the northern hemisphere, the “Snow Moon”—also called the “Hungry Moon” and the “Storm Moon”—would be the farthest from Earth in 2024 (apogee). Due to this fact, it will likely be the smallest—the other of a “supermoon.”

Stargazing Tip Of The Week: The Greatest Time To Stargaze

You may stargaze any time of 12 months however you do want a transparent sky. It helps to keep away from gentle air pollution, however the moon’s section is extra crucial. The primary factor to keep away from is a full moon, which bleaches the evening sky. The week earlier than a full moon can be tough.

The very best time is from the Third Quarter to the New Moon, when there’s no moonlight earlier than midnight. With no moon and a transparent sky, you’ll see a number of thousand stars, the Milky Means (in summer season), meteors, and satellites—all along with your bare eyes. It’s accessible to anybody who takes the time to look.

Stargazing Dates For Your Diary: Planetary Conjunctions

The obvious shut cross (conjunction) of Venus and Mars this week is tough to see, however there will likely be extra in 2024 that will likely be simpler to see:

• April 20: Jupiter and Uranus (separated by simply half a level)
• July 16: Mars and Uranus (separated by only a diploma—an outstretched finger)
• August 15: Mars and Jupiter (separated by only a third of a level)

The instances and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes. For essentially the most correct location-specific info, seek the advice of on-line planetariums like Stellarium and The Sky Dwell. Verify planet-rise/planet-set, dawn/sundown and moonrise/moonset instances for the place you might be.

I’m an skilled on the evening sky and creator of Stargazing In 2024: 50 Straightforward Issues To See In The Evening Sky From North America. For the very newest on sky occasions and the overall photo voltaic eclipse please subscribe or examine my principal feed frequently for brand spanking new articles.

Wishing you clear skies and extensive eyes.