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NASA Artemis II Launch Scheduled Amidst February 2026 Celestial Events

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February 2026: A Stargazer's Delight and Artemis II Launch

February 2026 promises a rich calendar of astronomical events for stargazers, highlighted by the highly anticipated launch of NASA's Artemis II mission.

NASA has scheduled the launch of the Artemis II moon rocket for no earlier than February 8, 2026.

Further details on the mission will be provided as they become available.

February Sky Highlights

The cold nights of February will offer excellent views of the majestic winter constellations, showcasing our immediate neighborhood within the Milky Way galaxy. Key celestial happenings include the Moon obscuring the bright star Regulus, close alignments of Venus, Mercury, and the Moon, and the atmospheric return of the Zodiacal Light.

Star of the Month: Sirius

Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, will be prominently visible immediately after dark in the Southeast. To locate it, simply follow the three 'belt' stars of the prominent Orion the Hunter constellation. Orion is one of the most recognizable constellations and serves as an excellent guide to other captivating winter constellations. Observers equipped with binoculars or a telescope are highly encouraged to view the stunning Orion Nebula, a magnificent stellar nursery.

Key Dates and Celestial Events

  • February 1: The Full Snow Moon occurs at 5:09 p.m. Eastern. The variable star Algol will reach minimum brightness around 7:36 p.m. Eastern.
  • February 2: Venus and Mercury will be visible just above the southwestern to western horizon at dusk, with Venus appearing brighter and lower. The Moon will cover Regulus in the Eastern sky, starting around 8:51 p.m. Eastern and lasting almost an hour; this event is best viewed with a telescope or binoculars.
  • February 3: The Zodiacal Light may be visible in the western sky at dark from dark-sky locations, best photographed with a tripod-mounted device for several seconds.
  • February 6: The Moon and the bright star Spica will appear closely paired in the Eastern sky before midnight, becoming closer as dawn approaches.
  • February 16: Algol will be at minimum brightness at 3:43 a.m. Eastern.
  • February 17: A New Moon occurs. An annular solar eclipse will be visible from Antarctica, with a partial eclipse visible in Antarctica, Africa, South America, and parts of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans.
  • February 18: A young crescent Moon will be visible near Mercury above the western horizon at dusk, best viewed with binoculars. Earthshine may be present.
  • February 19: Algol will be at minimum brightness at 12:33 a.m. Eastern.
  • February 21: Algol will be at minimum brightness at 9:22 p.m. Eastern.
  • February 24: First quarter moon.
  • February 26-27: The Moon and Jupiter will appear together from night into the pre-dawn sky.

Planetary Visibility (February 2026)

  • Mercury: Visible in the West, above Venus, at dusk.
  • Venus: Visible in the West, below Mercury, at dusk.
  • Mars: Currently in the sun's glare.
  • Jupiter: Visible throughout the night, appearing very bright.
  • Saturn: Visible in the Southwest after dark; its rings are observable via telescope.
  • Uranus: Visible in the western sky after dark; best observed with a telescope, also visible with binoculars.
  • Neptune: Visible in the western sky after dark; requires a telescope for observation.
  • Pluto: Requires specialized imaging through a telescope over several days to locate.