Is there a planet visible tonight? Absolutely! February 2025 offers a celestial treat for stargazers, with a dazzling array of planets lighting up the evening and morning skies. Whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or a curious beginner, February 2025 provides a fantastic opportunity to witness the beauty of our solar system. Let’s explore which planets you can spot and when to see them.
Evening Planets to Watch in Early February 2025
In the early part of February 2025, you’ll be able to spot up to four bright planets gracing the evening sky. Look westward after sunset to witness brilliant Venus shining brightly as darkness descends. Venus reaches its greatest brilliancy around Valentine’s Day, February 14th, making it an exceptionally stunning sight. Keep an eye out for Saturn, appearing with a steady golden light near Venus, though it will be lower on the horizon and may become harder to spot as the month progresses.
Higher in the sky, you’ll find Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, shining brightly overhead. Mars, the reddish planet, will also be visible for a good portion of the night. As February advances, Mercury will join the evening planetary show, emerging after sunset in early March, adding to the planetary spectacle.
Zodiacal Light: A Faint Glow After Twilight
For those with dark skies and keen eyes, February and March evenings around the equinox offer a chance to glimpse the elusive zodiacal light. This faint, pyramid-shaped glow appears on the western horizon after twilight has completely faded. It’s sunlight scattered by interplanetary dust in the plane of our solar system. In February 2025, Venus will be positioned within this ethereal glow, creating a beautiful visual phenomenon. Find a location away from city lights to maximize your chances of spotting this subtle celestial display.
Lunar Calendar: Moon Phases in February 2025
Keep track of the moon’s phases throughout February to enhance your stargazing experience.
Last Quarter Moon: February 20, 2025
The Last Quarter moon occurs on February 20th, 2025. At this phase, the moon rises after midnight and sets around noon, appearing high in the sky before dawn.
New Moon: February 28, 2025 – A Supermoon!
February 28th, 2025 marks the New Moon, the first of five supermoons in a row for the year! New moons rise and set with the sun, meaning the nights around this time are exceptionally dark and perfect for deep-sky stargazing, free from lunar glare.
Moon near Antares and the Crown of Scorpius: February 20 & 21 Mornings
On the mornings of February 20th and 21st, look for the waning crescent moon near Antares, the bright red star in the constellation Scorpius, the Scorpion. It will also be close to a group of stars called the Crown of Scorpius. On February 21st, some observers in specific locations might even witness the moon occulting (passing in front of) Antares.
Moon and the Teapot of Sagittarius: February 22-25 Mornings
From February 22nd to 25th, the waning crescent moon will journey through the Teapot asterism in the constellation Sagittarius. Look for this pairing in the pre-dawn sky. You might also notice earthshine, a faint glow on the unlit portion of the moon, caused by sunlight reflected off the Earth.
Moon, Venus, and Mercury in Late February Evenings
As February concludes, on the evening of February 28th, a slender waxing crescent moon will appear low in the western horizon after sunset. Look for brilliant Venus shining high above it and Mercury positioned close to the moon. This trio will create a lovely twilight scene.
February Constellations: Orion and More
February evenings are perfect for exploring some prominent constellations.
Orion the Hunter
One of the most recognizable constellations, Orion the Hunter, dominates the February evening sky. Easily spotted by Orion’s Belt, a line of three bright stars, Orion is a gateway to deeper sky wonders.
Auriga the Charioteer
Look overhead for Auriga the Charioteer and its bright star Capella. Capella, also known as the Goat Star, sometimes appears to flash colors, especially when near the horizon, due to atmospheric effects. Nearby, you’ll find a small triangle of stars known as “The Kids.”
Gemini the Twins
Gemini the Twins is another constellation high in the February evening sky. Its brightest stars, Castor and Pollux, are often referred to as the “twin” stars. Mars will be shining nearby in February 2025, adding to the constellation’s interest.
Late February Planet Visibility
As February progresses, the planetary lineup shifts slightly.
Venus and Saturn in Early February
In early February, Venus remains a brilliant beacon in the evening sky, accompanied by Saturn. However, Saturn will become increasingly difficult to observe as it gets closer to the sunset glare by the end of the month. Catch Saturn early in February before it disappears from evening view.
Venus and Mercury in Late February
Venus continues its reign as a bright evening star throughout late February. Mercury starts to emerge low in the west, below Venus, in the last few days of February, heralding its best evening appearance in early March.
Jupiter in February Evenings
Jupiter shines high in the eastern sky during February evenings, outshining even the brightest stars. It’s located in the constellation Taurus, the Bull, near the bright star Aldebaran and the Pleiades and Hyades star clusters. Jupiter is visible for a good portion of the night, setting a few hours after midnight by the end of February.
Mars near Gemini in February Evenings
Mars graces the evening sky near the twin stars Castor and Pollux in Gemini throughout February. Although Mars has passed its brightest point, it remains a noticeable reddish object in the evening and early night sky, outshining Castor and Pollux this month.
Sky Dome and Heliocentric Views
For a broader perspective, sky dome maps illustrate what’s visible above the horizon at mid-evening for mid-northern latitudes. These maps provide a comprehensive view of the night sky.
Heliocentric charts offer a different perspective, showing the positions of the planets in our solar system relative to the sun in February 2025, giving context to their visibility from Earth.
Enhance Your Stargazing
To make the most of your planet-watching experience, utilize resources like Stellarium Online or TheSkyLive for precise sky views tailored to your location. Consult almanacs for planet rise and set times. Consider visiting dark-sky locations for optimal viewing conditions. February 2025 promises a wealth of celestial sights – get outside and explore the night sky!
Resources for further exploration:
- EarthSky’s YouTube Channel
- EarthSky Daily Emails
- EarthSky’s Best Places to Stargaze
- EarthSky Community Photos
- Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Observer’s Handbook
- Stellarium Online
- Almanac: Bright visible planets
- TheSkyLive
- Guy Ottewell’s Astronomical Calendar for 2025
In conclusion: February 2025 presents a fantastic opportunity to see multiple planets in the night sky. From brilliant Venus in the evening to Jupiter and Mars shining throughout the night, and the potential appearance of Mercury, there’s plenty to observe. Use this guide to discover What Planet Is Visible Tonight and enjoy the wonders of the cosmos!
