February 2026 sky spectacle: eclipses, planetary alignments, and more

February 2026: a month of celestial delights

nnGet ready for an intense month of astronomical events, packed with lunar phases, planetary sightings, and a rare solar eclipse. Here's a rundown of what to expect:nn

Lunar phases to note

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• 1st February: Full Moon - A bright moon from the start of the month.
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• 9th February: Last Quarter Moon - The moon shows a clear half-disk.
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• 17th February: New Moon - Perfect for deep-sky observing.
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• 24th February: First Quarter Moon - The moon reappears in the evening sky.
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Planets visible to the naked eye

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Jupiter shines bright and is observable most of the night. It's the easiest target.

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Saturn rises early and is best seen in the first part of the night, near the western horizon after sunset.

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Venus is extremely luminous in the evening, low on the horizon. It's hard to miss if the sky is clear.

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Mars appears in the evening too, but later and lower than Venus. You'll need an unobstructed horizon to see it.

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Notable events to watch for

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• 2-3rd February: The moon passes near Regulus in the constellation of Leo.
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• 7th February: The moon brushes Spica, the bright star of Virgo.
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• 17th February: Annular Solar Eclipse - Not visible from metropolitan France. If you plan to witness it, use certified solar filters and never look directly at the sun without proper protection.
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• 18th February: Venus, the moon, and Mercury congregate near the horizon after sunset. A challenging but rewarding sight.
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• 19th February: Conjunction of Saturn and Mercury.
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• 27th February: The moon passes close to Jupiter. With decent binoculars, you might spot the four Galilean moons.
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• 28th February: Planetary alignment - Several planets appear to be in line, though not all will be visible at the same time from your location.
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Observing tips and tricks

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Choose a dark location, away from streetlights if possible.

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Check the weather forecast and western horizon for the best planetary viewing.

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Start with 8x40 binoculars for a great first step in planetary observing. A small telescope will reveal even more detail.

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Use a smartphone to take quick photos through binoculars.

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For the eclipse, eye safety is paramount. Only use certified ISO solar viewing glasses or a solar filter designed for telescopes. Never look at the sun with regular sunglasses.

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If you'd rather avoid direct viewing, make a simple pinhole projector by cutting a small hole in a cardboard sheet. It's safe and effective.

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