Day length continues to increase rapidly in February. While the sun was still 9h 30min above the horizon in Zweibr\u00fccken on February 1, it was already 11h 5min on February 29. Similarly, the midday altitude increases from 23.6 degrees at the beginning to 33.1 degrees at the end of the month.
On the 15th of the month, the waxing moon moves past Jupiter. Unfortunately, the closest approach at 3.2 degrees north of the planet remains hidden from us, occurring at 9:00 in the morning. At midnight, the angular separation is 5.5 degrees.
The full moon at the end of the month makes it difficult to see fainter objects.<\/p>\n\n\n
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PLANETS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mercury<\/strong> is in upper conjunction with the Sun on February 28 and therefore cannot be observed. On the same day Saturn<\/strong> also in conjunction (on the other side of the Sun from the Earth). The planets are only 12 minutes of arc apart on the afternoon of February 28, which is not observable with an angular distance to the sun of only 1.4 degrees. The visibility conditions of the Venus<\/strong> as a morning star continue to become less favorable, the retreat from the morning sky is already becoming apparent. On February 29, it crosses the horizon line in Zweibr\u00fccken at 6:24 a.m., the morning twilight already begins at 6:42 a.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The rays of the ever earlier rising sun continue to prevent the morning visibility of the Mars<\/strong>. It cannot be observed in February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jupiter<\/strong> has ended its opposition period and continues to accelerate its apparent movement towards the Sun. However, it remains with us as a shining object in the first half of the night. The sunsets shift to the time before midnight. On February 29, it will set at 11:47 pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Saturn <\/strong>can no longer be found in the evening twilight. It comes into conjunction with the Sun at the end of the month, but the encounter with Mercury on 28.2. can be seen with the help of a solar satellite (see also entry on Mercury<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Uranus<\/strong> has also ended its opposition period. It can be seen with smaller optical devices at around 57 degrees in the southern sky at nightfall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n STARRY SKY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The twinkling stars of the winter sky have already moved in the direction of the sunset. West<\/strong> shifted, but are still prominent in the night sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n High about us<\/strong> are Gemini and the inconspicuous constellation of Cancer with its open star cluster, the Praesepe (Latin for The Crib). Far away from disturbing lights, this can already be recognized as a faint patch of nebulosity. Its true beauty can be glimpsed with the aid of binoculars. In Greek mythology, the crab plays a minor role. According to one version, it is said to have assisted the many-headed Hydra in her confrontation with Hercules. However, both were ultimately defeated by the ancient hero. The crab was then transferred to heaven by Hera, wife of Zeus, who was not on good terms with Hercules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, it will be possible to follow the encounter between Mercury and Saturn in the images from the SOHO satellite (https:\/\/soho.nascom.nasa.gov\/data\/realtime\/c3\/512\/).<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sternwarte-zweibruecken.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Aufsuchkarte-Psaesepe-1024x682.png\")
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