From a glowing Snow Moon to a rare six-planet parade, February 2026 is delivering a packed calendar of celestial events for stargazers. With strategic timing and the right optical gear, skywatchers can witness several conjunctions, occultations, and deep-sky opportunities throughout the month.

For astronomy enthusiasts and casual observers alike, February offers a mix of accessible spectacles and more technical challenges. The month begins with the luminous full moon and builds toward complex planetary gatherings and lunar pairings that unfold across the night sky. Several of these phenomena require little more than the naked eye to enjoy, while others call for telescopes or camera setups with advanced optics.

Moonlit Shows And Close Planetary Encounters

The first spectacle arrives early. On February 1, the full Snow Moon lights up the sky, making it a prime target for both observers and astrophotographers. As reported by Live Science, handheld binoculars like a 10×42 pair or a tripod-mounted 15×70 set can significantly enhance the view. For those using telescopes, even a modest 3 to 5-inch model can reveal detailed lunar textures.

Midway through the month, on February 15, a more nuanced event occurs: a conjunction between Saturn and Neptune. This pairing is not visible to the unaided eye, particularly Neptune, which demands a telescope of at least 6 to 8 inches in aperture to discern its subtle blue tint.

Two nights later, on February 17, the new moon brings the darkest skies of the month, offering optimal conditions for deep-sky viewing. According to the same source, objects like the Orion Nebula, the Andromeda Galaxy, and even the Milky Way can be seen under low light pollution.

Two Astronomical Events One Date February 19 Has Both

One of the densest evenings in terms of celestial activity is February 19, when the crescent moon lines up with Neptune and Saturn in a tight conjunction. Observing this trio is best done shortly after sunset, around 6 to 7 PM EST. Telescopic views are required to distinguish Neptune, and larger apertures are recommended for resolving Saturn’s ring structure.

Later that same evening, Mercury enters the frame. The moon and Mercury will appear side by side low in the western sky. Due to Mercury’s greatest eastern elongation, this is also its best viewing window for the month. As noted by the same source, the 7 percent crescent moon will briefly occlude Mercury, an event known as an occultation. Binoculars with a 10x magnification should be sufficient to catch this fleeting moment.

Just a few days afterward, on February 23, the moon passes through the Pleiades star cluster. This slow-motion occultation will occur between 10:00 PM and 12:15 AM ET, depending on the observer’s location.

A Planet Parade to End the Month

As the month draws to a close, Jupiter returns to the spotlight. In the early morning of February 27, the gas giant aligns with the 79.5 percent illuminated moon, visible to the naked eye from around 1:30 AM ET. For those with high-magnification binoculars or telescopes, the view expands to include Jupiter’s moons, some of which will disappear and reappear behind the moon during the event.

The grand finale takes place on February 28, with a six-planet lineup stretching across the night sky. Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune will all be visible. Per Live Science, the four closest planets are naked-eye targets, while Uranus and Neptune call for a telescope.