Get ready for a celestial adventure! The night sky in February 2026 has some amazing sights in store, but it's not all sunshine and stargazing. Let's dive into the wonders and challenges of this month's skywatching.
For those of us in the southern hemisphere, February continues the scorching summer season, leading us into Bunuru, or 'the second summer.' While the days may be hot, the nights offer a refreshing opportunity for stargazing.
The two brightest stars, Sirius and Canopus, take center stage in the February evening sky. Around 9 pm, they align almost directly overhead, forming a north-south line. From here, you have two captivating paths to choose from.
Option 1: Follow Sirius to the North
If you follow Sirius northward, you'll encounter Orion and his hunting companions, Canis Major and Canis Minor. This path offers a glimpse into the legendary tales of ancient hunters and their celestial companions.
Option 2: Venture South with Canopus
Heading south with Canopus, you might catch a glimpse of the mysterious Magellanic Clouds (if you're far from city lights!) and spot the iconic Southern Cross, which has been lurking low on the southern horizon for the past few months. This southern journey promises a unique perspective on the night sky.
But here's where it gets controversial... An Annular Solar Eclipse on February 17th! Technically, you can observe this eclipse from Australia, as the path of maximum coverage passes over the Australian Antarctic Territory. However, it's not a total solar eclipse, so the Sun will always be partially visible, no matter where you are.
For our Antarctic readers at Casey Station and Davis Station, you'll witness about 90% of the Sun covered, while those at Mawson Station will see around 85% coverage. So, dear Antarctic explorers, we'd love to see your snapshots! This annular eclipse occurs because the Moon's orbit is oval-shaped, not a perfect circle. When an eclipse happens when the Moon is farther away in its orbit, it appears smaller in the sky and can't completely block the Sun. This results in a stunning ring of sunlight, known as an annulus, surrounding the Moon during the eclipse.
Speaking of the Moon, February might bring the launch of Artemis II, an exciting mission to return humans to the lunar surface. Stay tuned for more details in our feature article.
Additionally, February offers several excellent opportunities to spot the International Space Station. From Perth, you can catch multiple passes each day, with a few notable sightings predicted for early February. Check the linked sources for precise predictions on the day of your observations.
Moon Phases and Celestial Events:
- Full Moon: February 2nd
- Last Quarter: February 9th
- New Moon: February 17th
- First Quarter: February 24th
Mark your calendars for these key dates:
- February 7th - 11th: Potential launch of Artemis II
- February 17th: Annular Solar Eclipse
- February 26th: Moon underneath Orion
- February 27th: Moon close to Jupiter
When it comes to planets, Jupiter steals the show this month. Visible in the northeast as the Sun sets, Jupiter appears as an unmistakable whitish bright object hovering above the stars of Castor and Pollux. It moves across the northern sky throughout the evening and sets in the west around 4 am.
Saturn makes an appearance in the northwestern sky from sunset until around 8:30 pm, but better views await later in the year.
Mercury, Venus, and Mars are largely lost in the Sun's glare this month, making Jupiter the star of the show.
Constellation of the Month: Canis Minor - The Small Dog
Canis Minor is a small but mighty constellation in the northern sky, visible in the northeast during February evenings. It's one of Orion's hunting dogs and is dominated by its two brightest stars, Procyon (magnitude 0.34) and Gomeisa (magnitude 2.9).
The name 'Procyon' translates from ancient Greek as 'before the dog,' reflecting its position in the sky. From latitudes above 30°N, Procyon rises before its famous sibling, Sirius. However, in Australia, due to our far southern latitudes, Procyon actually rises after Sirius. Perhaps we should consider a new name, like 'Metacyon,' to reflect this unique perspective.
If you find yourself at Casey Station in Antarctica, fresh from the excitement of the partial solar eclipse on February 17th, you'll be treated to a view of Procyon and Sirius low in the northwestern sky for about two hours after sunset, until the Sun rises again.
The lesson from Canis Minor, much like Telescopium from last November, is that the pictures depicted in constellations are not literal. Astronomers define constellations as regions of the sky containing stars, not the patterns themselves. Drawing a dog and creating stories adds a touch of fun for backyard stargazers, while professional astronomers use these unique sky regions to easily guide their colleagues to objects of interest.
So, whether you're an astronomer or an icebreaker, gear up and prepare for some incredible celestial sightings!
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We hope you enjoy exploring the night sky in February and sharing our stories with the world!
