Get ready for a cosmic spectacle in February 2026! The month continues the scorching summer season, but fear not, for the clear nights offer a stunning view of the celestial wonders above.
The Brightest Stars Shine: Sirius and Canopus, the two brightest stars, are almost directly overhead in the evening sky, creating a captivating sight. But here's where it gets interesting: you have two options for your stargazing adventure.
Option 1: Follow Sirius to the north, where you'll encounter the mighty hunter Orion, accompanied by his faithful hunting dogs, Canis Major and Canis Minor. Option 2: Venture south with Canopus as your guide to catch a glimpse of the elusive Magellanic Clouds (if you're far from city lights) and the Southern Cross, which makes a bold appearance in the southeastern skies after hiding low on the southern horizon for months.
Annular Solar Eclipse: On February 17th, an annular solar eclipse will occur, visible from Australia in a unique way. Although not a total eclipse, the Moon will cover a significant portion of the Sun, creating a ring of sunlight. This phenomenon happens when the Moon is in the more distant parts of its oval-shaped orbit, appearing smaller and not fully blocking the Sun. Viewers at Casey Station and Davis Station will witness about 90% coverage, while Mawson Station will see around 85%.
Artemis II Mission: February might also mark the launch of Artemis II, a mission to return humans to the Moon. Keep an eye out for this exciting development!
International Space Station Sightings: February offers several opportunities to spot the ISS. Some notable sightings from Perth include February 5th at 8:43 PM, February 6th at 4:50 AM and 7:52 PM, and February 7th at 4:04 AM. These predictions are most accurate a few days in advance, so check for updates.
Moon Phases: The month begins with a full moon on February 2nd, followed by the last quarter on the 9th, a new moon on the 17th, and the first quarter on the 24th.
Key Dates: Mark your calendars for February 7th-11th, the potential launch window for Artemis II. The annular solar eclipse occurs on February 17th, and on February 26th, the Moon will be underneath Orion. On February 27th, the Moon will be close to Jupiter.
Planetary Highlights: Jupiter, the king of planets, is the star of the show this month. It shines brightly in the northeast at sunset and moves across the northern sky, setting in the west around 4 AM. Saturn is visible in the northwestern sky but will offer better views later in the year. Mercury, Venus, and Mars are hidden in the Sun's glare.
Constellation of the Month: Canis Minor, the Small Dog, is a small constellation in the northern sky, visible in the northeast during February evenings. It is one of Orion's hunting dogs and is home to the bright stars Procyon and Gomeisa. Procyon's name means 'before the dog' in ancient Greek, and its rise precedes Sirius in the eastern sky when viewed from above 30°N. However, in Australia, due to its southern latitude, Procyon rises after Sirius.
The Art of Constellation Interpretation: The lesson from Canis Minor is that constellations are regions of the sky containing stars, not the patterns we draw. Astronomers use these regions to locate objects of interest, while backyard stargazers enjoy connecting the dots to create familiar shapes and stories.
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