Night sky guide for February 2015

Galactic Free Press's picture

The period of February through March is not known meteor activity, however, the fireball season starts this month and will last until April. The best fireball activity occurs during the early evening hours so watch out for those bright balls of fire.

There are only a couple of weak showers expected in Northern Hemisphere this month but Southern Hemisphere observers can enjoy Alpha Centaurids which will peak on February 8. Although meteors from this stream have been seen as early as February 2 and as late as February 25 it is difficult to detect it except on its peak night when they can produce hourly rates of 3 - 5.

Next major meteor shower is scheduled for the nights of April 22 and 23 when Lyrids are expected to peak.

Comet C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy) is performing better than expected and you should still be able to find it as it drifts northward into the stars of Andromeda.

  • February 3 - Full Moon - 23:09 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Full Snow Moon because the heaviest snows usually fell during this time of the year...

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