March 29, 2024

The brightest planets in February’s night sky: How to see them (and when)

Venus( Image credit: Starry Night software application) Venus, now in the southeastern sky at dawn, blazes near its incredible peak brightness of magnitude -4.9 for much of February. Venuss elongation from the sun continues to grow, however at months end observers at 40 degrees north latitude still see it just 18 degrees high in the southeast 30 minutes before daybreak. And about 5 degrees above Mars will blaze Venus.

Mars and Mercury will be drifting to Venus lower left; binoculars will be beneficial in making a sighting. Venus( Image credit: Starry Night software application) Venus, now in the southeastern sky at dawn, blazes near its remarkable peak brightness of magnitude -4.9 for much of February. Venuss elongation from the sun continues to grow, but at months end observers at 40 degrees north latitude still see it only 18 degrees high in the southeast 30 minutes prior to sunrise. Mars In the southeastern pre-dawn sky on Sunday morning, Feb. 27, the old crescent moon will form a neat line with extremely bright Venus at the much and leading fainter, reddish Mars in the. And about 5 degrees above Mars will blaze Venus.