January and February Skies

• February 1: Venus and the Moon On the 1st, Venus will be very near the waxing crescent Moon. The planet is just 2.3 degrees to the Moon’s right. Start looking at sunset.
• February 5 to 6: The Moon Occults the Pleiades The Quarter Moon will blot out the stars of Pleiades (M45). This will occur around 11:15 PM Pacific Time. 

• February 16: Venus at its brightest for 2025 This month. Venus will reach magnitude -4.6 on February 16. Look west during the twilight hours.

  Don't forget the planets this month - Mars, Jupiter and Venus

   

• Constellations:
• Look high in the south for Orion, the Hunter. Above Orion stands Taurus, the Bull.
• Off to the left is the five-sided figure of Auriga, the Charioteer.
• Swinging downward, we find Gemini, the Twins.
• Continuing counterclockwise around the sky, we reach Canis Minor, the Lesser Dog and then on to Canis Major, the Greater Dog.
• Looking west and below Auriga lies Perseus, The Hero.

  There are several nebulae to look for but some may need a nebula filter. Two nebulae worth a look are The Pacman (NGC 281) in Cassiopeia and the Little Dumbbell (M76) in Perseus. Try a filter on both as they are faint. Observe these first as they are low in the northwest. M42, M43 in Orion. These comprise the Orion Nebula region and are a fantastic sight. Look for M78 also in Orion. A filter might help. One not to miss is the Crab Nebula (NGC1952) in Taurus. This supernova remnant is a nice sight in medium sized scope. Heading towards Gemini take a look at the Rosette Nebula (NGC2237) with the bright open cluster NGC2244. The nebula is large and faint so a filter will help with the nebula.

Clear and Dark skies, Dave Holland