The starry sky in February 2026
In the evening hours of February, the starry sky really sparkles: the winter constellations around the Orion are famous for their bright stars. At 10 p.m. (the star chart shows this view), these constellations have already moved across the meridian. Below Orion, Sirius flickers in the constellation of the Big dog the brightest star in the entire sky. Above Orion on the right is the Bull with its main star Aldebaran. Even higher in the sky are the constellations of Carters with the yellowish Capella and to the left above Orion the Twins with the two bright stars Castor and Pollux. Prokyon, the brightest star in the Little Dog, shines below the twins.
The spring constellations can already be observed in the eastern sky. The constellation of the Lions with its main star Regulus has already risen completely. Below it, the star Alphard shines in the Water snake. The constellation of the Virgo does not fully rise until after midnight. The planet shines in Gemini Jupiter. Around the planet further west Uranus in Taurus, you should use binoculars.
The planets in February 2026
Mercury can be seen in the evening sky in mid-February. It reaches its greatest eastern elongation on February 19. Venus can also be seen again to the south of Mercury. On the 18th, the narrow crescent Moon will be below Mercury and on the 19th above Mercury next to Saturn.
Venus can be seen in the evening sky from mid-February.
Mars The red planet remains invisible because it is below the horizon at night.
Jupiter The giant planet is still located in the constellation of Gemini and shines very brightly.
Saturn bids farewell to the evening sky in February. It passes by distant Neptune after the middle of the month.
Uranus in Taurus becomes retrograde again, the greenish planet ends its opposition period and becomes the object of the first half of the night.
Neptune in the constellation of Pisces is located not far from Saturn and, like the ringed planet, can be observed in the early evening hours. It is overtaken by Saturn after the middle of the month.
In modified form from The starry sky in February 2026 - Association of Star Friends e.V.