| What's up in the Sky? Jupiter is moving into our evening skies. In the beginning of February, Jupiter rises about three hours before sunset. By the end of the month, our solar system's largest planet is rising just about a half an hour after sunset. If you missed the morning planet extravaganza in January, never fear! Five morning planets are near! All five naked eye planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn) can be seen in the sky simultaneously for most of the month. The first planet to disappear from the scene is the closest plant to our Sun, Mercury. By the last week February, Mercury will be lost to the rising Sun's glare. Venus rises in the southeast about two hours before sunrise at the start of the month and about one hour before sunrise by the month's end. Saturn and Mars are moving towards each other. The gap between the pair shrinks throughout the course of the month. Watch for the zodiacal light in the west at the end of the last week in February and the first week of March. The zodiacal light is a faint glow in the sky caused by interplanetary dust particles. It's only visible under very dark sky conditions. The zodiacal light will look like a faint cone of light coming up from the horizon and pointing along the ecliptic. - Last Quarter Moon:February 1
- New Moon: February 8
- First Quarter: February 15
- Full Moon: February 22
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