Stargazing Calendar for February 2025
February 2025 is an exciting month for stargazing enthusiasts and astronomy lovers alike. From dazzling planetary conjunctions to meteor showers and celestial events, the night sky is packed with wonders to explore. Whether you’re tracking planets like Jupiter and Mars or observing distant galaxies, this is the perfect time to look up and marvel at the cosmos.
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List of Meteor Showers in February 2025
- Antihelion Source: Start on December 10; multiple peaks; end September 10.
- Comae Berenicids: Start on December 12; peak on December 16; end on February 4.
- α-Centaurids: Start on January 28; peak on February 8; end on February 21.
- γ-Normids: Start on February 25; peak on March 14; end on March 28.
We also have a complete list of meteor showers for the entire year of 2025 here.
List of Planetary Conjunctions in February 2025
- Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn in Aquarius on February 1.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Venus in Aquarius on February 1.
- Conjunction of Venus and Neptune in Pisces on February 3.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter in Taurus on February 7.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Mars in Gemini on February 9.
- Conjunction of Mercury and Saturn in Aquarius on February 25.
February 1: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn
The Moon and Saturn will reach conjunction passing within 1°05′ of each other while sharing the same right ascension.
At around the same time the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 57.6 arcminutes from each other, but not sharing the same right ascension. In some parts of Siberia this distance will be so close as to lead to a lunar occultation of Saturn, meaning the Moon will pass in front of Saturn thereby hiding it from view temporarily.
The Moon will be at apparent magnitude -10.2 and Saturn at magnitude 1.0 both in the constellation of Aquarius. The Moon will be a 3 days old waxing crescent at 12%. Venus will also be nearby, waiting for its own conjunction later the same day.
February 1: Conjunction of the Moon and Venus
The Moon and Venus will be at conjunction by sharing the same right ascension and passing within 2°20′ of each other.
Around an hour later, the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 2°04′ from each other, but no longer sharing the same right ascension.
Look for the two bodies in the constellation of Aquarius. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn on February 1.) The Moon will be a very thin waxing crescent (18%) at 3 days old and will not interfere much with stargazing this early February 2025. Despite this, the Moon will still be at apparent magnitude of -10.7, while Venus will be at magnitude -4.6. Saturn will also be nearby, still lingering after its own conjunction earlier in the day.
February 3: Conjunction of Venus and Neptune
Venus and Neptune will reach conjunction passing within 3°57′ of each other while sharing the same right ascension.
Venus will be at apparent magnitude -4.6 and Neptune at magnitude 7.9 both in the constellation of Pisces. The two planets will be too widely separated to fit within the field of view of a telescope, but will fit with binoculars. The Moon will be a 5 days old waxing crescent at 38%.
February 4: Jupiter ends retrograde motion
Jupiter will end retrograde motion, which means it will stop traveling westward through the constellations and instead return to the more usual eastward motion instead. All of the outer planets in the solar system periodically experience this orientation reversal, which occurs a few months before they reach opposition.
Ancient observers were troubled by retrograde motion because it didn’t fit with their belief in uniform circular orbits around the Earth. The phenomenon is actually due to Earth’s orbit around the Sun, which shifts our perspective and causes planets to appear to move back and forth in the sky while continuing their overall eastward path through the constellations.
Jupiter can be spotted in the constellation of Taurus with an apparent magnitude of -2.5. The Moon will be a 6 day old waxing crescent at 45%.
February 6: Close approach of the Moon and the Pleiades
The Moon and the Pleiades (also known as M45 or Messier 45) will make a close approach, passing within 31.5 arcminutes of each other.
Both objects will be in the constellation of Taurus with the Moon being at apparent magnitude -12.2; and the Pleiades at 1.3. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing Jupiter ending retrograde motion on February 4.) The Moon will be 8 days old and waxing gibbous at 66%.
February 7: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter
The Moon and Jupiter will be at conjunction by sharing the same right ascension and passing within 5°29′ of each other.
At around the same time the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 5°25′ from each other, but not sharing the same right ascension.
The two celestial bodies will meet in the constellation Taurus with the Moon at apparent magnitude of -12.3 and Jupiter at -2.5. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing Jupiter ending retrograde motion on February 4.) The Moon will be 9 days old and waxing gibbous at 74%.
February 8: α-Centaurid meteor shower peak
The Alpha Centaurids will peak with a zenithal hourly rate of 6 meteors if conditions are optimal. Those conditions could be very close to optimal as the Moon will be only a day away from the new moon phase.
Some meteors may also be spotted between January 28 and February 21. They will radiate from the constellation of Centaurus at the speed of 56 km/s on average.
February 9: Conjunction of the Moon and Mars
The Moon and Mars will be at conjunction by sharing the same right ascension and passing within 46′ of each other.
Around the same time, the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 46.0 arcminutes from each other, but not sharing the same right ascension. In parts of Russia, China, northern and eastern Canada, Greenland, Iceland, and most of northern Scandinavia this distance will be so close as to lead to a lunar occultation of Mars, meaning the Moon will pass in front of Mars thereby hiding it from view temporarily.
Look for the two bodies in the constellation of Gemini. The Moon will be at apparent magnitude of -12.6, while Mars will be at magnitude -0.8. The Moon will be waxing gibbous (94%) at 11 days old.
February 12: Asteroid 29 Amphitrite at opposition
Asteroid 29 Amphitrite will reach opposition, when it lies opposite to the Sun in the sky, reaching the highest point in the sky around midnight local time, regardless of where in the world you are located.
It is an S-type asteroid, with a mean diameter of just over 200 km, which would make it the fifth largest asteroid in the belt.
This asteroid will come within 1.541 AU of us, reaching a peak brightness of magnitude 9.2. Unfortunately it’s much too dim to be visible to the naked eye, so a telescope of moderate aperture will be needed. Point it at the constellation of Leo. Unfortunately, the bright Moon will interfere this middle of February 2025, as it will be at full moon.
February 19: Bode’s Galaxy at its highest point in the sky
Bode’s Galaxy, also known as Messier 81 or NGC 3031, (see featured image at the top of the article) will reach its highest point in the sky at around midnight local time, making it a good time to observe it. At an apparent magnitude of 6.9, a small telescope is recommended for viewing. Look in the constellation of Ursa Major. The Moon will be a 21 days old waning gibbous at 52%.
This galaxy, located 12 million light-years away from Earth, is a member of the Council of Giants and a neighbor of our Local Group.
February 24: Mars ends retrograde motion
Mars will end retrograde motion, which means it will stop traveling westward through the constellations and instead return to the more usual eastward motion instead. All of the outer planets in the solar system periodically experience this orientation reversal, which occurs a few months before they reach opposition.
Ancient observers were troubled by retrograde motion because it didn’t fit with their belief in uniform circular orbits around the Earth. The phenomenon is actually due to Earth’s orbit around the Sun, which shifts our perspective and causes planets to appear to move back and forth in the sky while continuing their overall eastward path through the constellations.
Mars can be spotted in the constellation of Gemini with an apparent magnitude of 0.7. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of the Moon and Mars on February 9.) Fortunately the Moon won’t interfere much with stargazing this end of February 2025 as it will be a 26 days old waning crescent at 14%.
February 25: Conjunction of Mercury and Saturn
Mercury and Saturn will reach conjunction passing within 1°39′ of each other while sharing the same right ascension.
Mercury will be at apparent magnitude -1.1 and Saturn at magnitude 1.1 both in the constellation of Aquarius. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn on February 1.) The Moon will be a 27 days old waning crescent at 3%.
Moon Phases in February 2025
As you know, the Moon has a big impact on the visibility of celestial bodies and astronomical events in the night sky. So to help you with stargazing, here’s a calendar of the phases of Moon for this month of February 2025:
Positions of the Planets in February 2025
- Mercury: The closest planet to the Sun can be seen at dawn and dusk travelling across the constellation of Capricornus and then Aquarius. This planet, being the closest to the Sun, will appear to move quickly in the night sky and its position will change in the following weeks.
- Venus: The sister planet can be seen travelling across the constellation of Aquarius and then Pisces. Just like Mercury, Venus can only be seen at dawn and dusk.
- Mars: The red planet can be seen in the constellation of Gemini later in the month.
- Jupiter: The gas giant is visible in the constellation of Taurus. Jupiter can easily be spotted with the naked eye, even in highly illuminated cities.
- Saturn: The ringed giant can be seen with the naked eye in the constellation of Aquarius.
- Uranus: The ice giant can be seen in the constellation of Aries with the use of a telescope.
- Neptune: The blue giant requires a telescope pointed in the constellation of Pisces in order to be seen.
Positions of Dwarf Planets and Large Asteroids in February 2025
- Ceres: The asteroid belt’s lone dwarf planet can be seen in the constellation of Capricornus with the help of a telescope.
- Vesta: This large asteroid can be seen in the constellation of Virgo with a telescope.
- Pallas: The asteroid can be observed with a telescope in the constellation of Aquila.
- Hygiea: The fourth largest asteroid can be found with a telescope in the constellation of Pisces.
- Pluto: This distant dwarf planet can be found in the constellation of Capricornus with the help of a large telescope.
Major astronomical events next month – March 2025
- March 12: Asteroid 8 Flora at opposition
- March 14: Total lunar eclipse
- March 14: γ-Normids meteor shower peak
- March 20: March equinox
- March 23: Saturn ring plane crossing
- March 25: Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner at perihelion
- March 25: Dwarf planet Ceres at aphelion
- March 29: Partial solar eclipse
- March 31: Dwarf planet Makemake at opposition
Conclusion
February 2025 offers a celestial feast of stargazing opportunities, from striking lunar conjunctions with planets to the Alpha Centaurid meteor shower and bright asteroids like Amphitrite at opposition. Stargazers can also observe retrograde motions ending for Jupiter and Mars, alongside prominent deep-sky objects like Bode’s Galaxy. Whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or a casual observer, this month is a perfect opportunity to explore the night sky.
To ensure you don’t miss out on any celestial happenings, sign up for our newsletter to receive stargazing calendars and more updates. Keep your telescopes ready and clear your calendar for these cosmic highlights!
Sources:
- Planetary ephemerides produced by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
- International Meteor Organization
See also:
- Previous month’s calendar: Stargazing Calendar for January 2025
- Next month’s calendar: Stargazing Calendar for March 2025
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Paul Tomaszewski
Paul Tomaszewski is a science & tech writer as well as a programmer and entrepreneur. He is the founder and editor-in-chief of CosmoBC. He has a degree in computer science from John Abbott College, a bachelor's degree in technology from the Memorial University of Newfoundland, and completed some business and economics classes at Concordia University in Montreal. While in college he was the vice-president of the Astronomy Club. In his spare time he is an amateur astronomer and enjoys reading or watching science-fiction. You can follow him on LinkedIn and Twitter.
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