Over the next couple weeks, look towards the low southeastern sky at dawn and witness the morning star, otherwise known as Venus. On Saturday, February 15, Venus will shine at an impressive magnitude of -4.9, which is the brightest it can get in our skies. Venus shines 10 times brighter than Jupiter, which is also visible in our evening skies during February
Wake up early on the 15th or anytime during the following week-you don’t want to miss this because Venus won’t appear this bright and high in Earth’s skies again until 2015.
Take a peek at the sky tonight and you’ll see a full moon. A full moon is when the moon and the sun are opposite of each other from an earth perspective.
First Quarter Moon, 4:31 a.m. One-half of the Moon appears illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is increasing.
Mars at opposition. A body in space is at opposition when it sits 180° from the Sun in relationship to the Earth. This is the best time to view a planet.
Moon at apogee (its farthest point to the Earth), 11 a.m.
Take a peek at the sky tonight and you’ll see a full moon. A full moon is when the moon and the sun are opposite of each other from an earth perspective.
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes completely through the Earth’s dark shadow, or umbra. During this type of eclipse, the Moon will gradually get darker and then take on a rusty or blood red color. The eclipse will be visible throughout most of North America, South America, and Australia.
See a detailed map of the Total Lunar Eclipse here.
Mars closest to Earth – go check it out!
Last Quarter Moon, 3:52 a.m. One-half of the Moon appears illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is decreasing.
Moon at perigee (its closest point to the Earth), 8 p.m.