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30 January 2004

Eye on the Sky February 2004

by Paul Curtin

The February Sky

Gemini, Canis Major, Orion, Auriga and Taurus remain the most impressive figures for Northern observers. Cancer, with the Beehive cluster at its center, peeks over the Eastern horizon hinting at the coming Spring. The Southern Hemisphere gets its best view of the Large Magellanic Cloud this month.

The Planets in February

Venus is a very bright object in the Western sky just after sunset. On February 23rd it comes within 3 degrees of the crescent Moon. Mars enters Aries this month and sets before midnight. Jupiter is in Leo and is visible throughout the night. Even small telescopes show the four brightest moons and the largest atmospheric belts. Saturn is in Gemini and continues to be a great object in telescopes of all sizes.