A partial solar Eclipse and 6 astronomical events of February

1.The zodiacal light — 2-16 February

The phenomenon begins almost an hour after sunset on 2 February and Amateur astronomers in the Northern hemisphere will be able to observe the zodiacal light for another two weeks.

The light in the shape of a pyramid is often mistaken for the glow of a distant city on the horizon, and it is sometimes called false dawn.

But this ethereal light is actually the result of reflection of sunlight from the ancient dust that is suspended between the planets. The best time to catch the ghostly heavenly light — an hour after sunset on the Western horizon.

2. Alpha-Centaurii

Observers of the sky in the southern hemisphere will see this modest meteor shower as the Earth passes through a cloud of particles left by an unknown comet.

Known as alpha-Centaurii, annual flow seems to come from the constellation of the Centaur.

The flow is just a trickle at a speed of only 6 "shooting stars" per hour. However, the rate may increase to 25 meteors per hour. To see the alpha of Centaurea after nightfall on 8 February and before dawn the next day.

3. The moon meets Saturn — February 11

Those who will stand before on February 11, will see a downward Crescent, located near Saturn. He will be hanging low in the southeastern sky an hour before sunrise.

4. Mars and Antares — February 12

At dawn, look to the Southeast sky to see two orange dots — the red planet Mars and the red giant star Antares. One of the brightest stars in the constellation Scorpius, Antares in Greek means "the rival of Mars." It is so named because of the color and brightness comparable to Mars.

But Mars in size three times smaller than the Earth, and Antares is so large that if it replaced our Sun, its outer atmosphere would stretch to the orbit of the red planet.

12 Feb visible distance between the two bright objects will be only 5 degrees, which is equal to the width of three fingers at arm's length. In reality, Mars is at a distance of 225 million km from Earth, Antares is 600 light years.

5. Partial solar Eclipse — 15 Feb

On the evening of 15 February, a partial solar Eclipse will see in Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and Antarctica.

During the Eclipse, the Moon gliding between Earth and the Sun and blocks part of the solar disk. How big of a part depends on your location. The South you will be, the greater part of the solar disk will be covered by the Moon.

The best place to observe the Eclipse — the southern end of South America. For example, the Moon will block 40% of the Sun above the city of Ushuaia in Argentina.

6. Moon and bull's-eye — Feb 23

On this day first quarter moon gliding through the constellation Taurus. The bright orange star Aldebaran, which is called "bull's eye", will be 5 degrees from the lower right corner of the moon. To observers from North America, Europe and Northern Asia, the star will be so close that a brief period will hide the Moon. This phenomenon is called the lunar surface.

7. The moon meets Regulus — February 28

February 28, once it gets dark, take a look at the majestic constellation of Leo, which rises above the Eastern horizon. Almost full Moon as if perched on the star Regulus. Observers in Eastern Canada and northeast USA would seem that the star slips behind the Moon.

Translated by «Yandex.Translator»