Sky Report

February, 2026

This is the Griffith Observatory Sky Report for the period between February 1 and February 28, 2026. Here are the events happening in the sky of southern California.

Mercury begins April close to the sun and is not safe to observe. On the 6^th, the planet sets in the west-southwest at 6:24 p.m., PST, and the sun sets at 5:29 p.m., PST, 55 minutes earlier. The planet is 92-percent illuminated and 5.3 arcseconds wide. On the 28^th, the sun sets at 5:49 p.m., PST, and Mercury sets in the west at 6:45 p.m., PST, 56 minutes later. The planet is 14-percent illuminated and 9.3 arcseconds wide. Do not observe any planet when it comes close to the sun, for the danger to the eyes is great.

Venus begins February close to the sun and is not safe to observe. On the 28^th, Venus sets in the west-southwest at 6:48 p.m., PST, 59 minutes after the sun sets.

Mars is close to the sun all month long and not safe to observe.

Jupiter is in Gemini the Twins. On the 1^st, the planet sets in the west-northwest at 5:30 a.m., PST, and is 45 arcseconds wide. On the 28^th, Jupiter sets in the west-northwest at 3:36 a.m., PST, and is 43 arcseconds wide. A telescope capable of magnification 50x will show the Red Spot and the four bright Galilean moons moving back and forth, across and behind Jupiter.

Saturn is in Pisces the Fishes. On the 1^st, the planet sets in the west at 8:59 p.m., PST. Saturn is 16 arcseconds wide. On the 28^th, the planet sets at 7:27 p.m., PST. The rings and Saturn’s largest moon Titan may be seen with a telescope capable of magnification 50x.

Uranus is in the constellation Taurus the Bull. On the 1^st, the planet sets in the west-northwest at 1:46 a.m., PST, and is 3.7 arcseconds wide. On the 28^th, Uranus sets in the west-northwest at 12:01 a.m., PST. On the 15^th, Uranus is at Right Ascension 3^h 41^m 8^s with a declination of +19° 25ʹ 29ʺ. A telescope with a magnification of 150x is needed to show the disk.

Neptune is in the constellation Pisces the Fishes. On the 1^st, the planet sets in the west at 9:06 p.m., PST, and is 2.2 arcseconds wide. On the 28^th, Neptune sets at 7:24 p.m., PST. On the 15^th, the planet is at Right Ascension 0^h 4^m 9^s with a declination of -0° 58ʹ 41ʺ. A telescope with a magnification of 150x is needed to show the disk.

Full moon occurs on the 1^st, last quarter on the 9^th, new moon on the 17^th, and first quarter on the 24^th.

SPECIAL EVENTS

There are no special events in February.

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February 1st is the Full Moon. Starting from the 2nd on, the Moon is waning. The New Moon on the 17th ends this cycle. The Last Quarter is on the 9th, and the First Quarter is on the 24th. From the 18th onward, the Moon is waxing which means its surface is becoming more illuminated.

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