Stargazing Calendar for February 2026

This February is filled with must-see celestial events, from close planetary conjunctions to a striking annular solar eclipse. This guide to stargazing in February 2026 highlights the best moments for observing astronomy highlights throughout the month.

List of Meteor Showers in February 2026

1. Antihelion Source: Start on December 10; multiple peaks; end September 10.
2. Comae Berenicids: Start on December 12; peak on December 16; end on February 4.
3. α-Centaurids: Start on January 28; peak on February 8; end on February 21.
4. 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 2026 here.

List of Planetary Conjunctions in February 2026

1. Close approach of the Moon and Beehive Cluster in Cancer on February 1.
2. Conjunction of Saturn and Neptune in Pisces on February 16.
3. Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury in Aquarius on February 18.
4. Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn in Pisces on February 20.
5. Close approach of the Moon and the Pleiades in Taurus on February 24.
6. Conjunction of Venus and Mercury in Aquarius and Pisces on February 26.
7. Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter in Gemini on February 27.
8. Close approach of the Moon and Beehive Cluster in Cancer on February 28.

Moon Phases in February 2026

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 2026:

February 1: Close approach of the Moon and Beehive Cluster

The Moon and the Beehive Cluster (also known as M44 or Messier 44) will make a close approach, passing within 1°26′ of each other.

Both objects will be in the constellation of Cancer with the Moon being at apparent magnitude -12.8; and the Beehive Cluster at 3.1. The Moon will be at the full moon phase.

February 4: Uranus ends retrograde motion

Uranus 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.

Uranus can be spotted in the constellation of Taurus with an apparent magnitude of 5.7. Unfortunately the Moon will interfere with stargazing this early of January 2026 as it will be a 16 days old waning gibbous at 90%.

February 8: α-Centaurid meteor shower peak

The Alpha Centaurids will peak with a zenithal hourly rate of 6 meteors if conditions are optimal. The Moon will be 21 days old and waning gibbous at 55%.

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 16: Conjunction of Saturn and Neptune

Saturn and Neptune will reach conjunction passing within 54′ of each other while sharing the same right ascension.

Saturn will be at apparent magnitude 1.0 and Neptune at magnitude 7.9 both in the constellation of Pisces. The Moon will be a 28 days old waning crescent at 1%, only a day away from new moon and so it won’t be interfering with stargazing in the middle of February 2026.

February 17: Comet C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) at perigee

The comet C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) will reach perigee, meaning it will reach the closest point in its orbit to the Earth at a distance of 1.01 AU. It will have an apparent magnitude of 8 according to the BAA Comet Section. Look in the constellation of Sculptor. The Moon will be at new moon.

February 17: Annular solar eclipse

An annular solar eclipse happens when the Moon is too far away from the Earth to completely cover the Sun. This creates a ring of light around the darkened Moon. The corona is not visible during an annular eclipse. (See featured image at the top of the article.)

The eclipse will begin in parts of Antarctica and the surrounding waters. A partial eclipse will also be visible across the southern part of Africa (including Madagascar). See NASA’s fact sheet below.

Be careful to not look directly at the Sun and especially not to point a telescope at it. This is very dangerous to your eyes and may result in permanent eye damage.

February 18: Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury

The Moon and Mercury will be at conjunction by sharing the same right ascension and passing within 8’02” of each other.

Around the same time, the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching a mere 7.1 arcminutes from each other, but not sharing the same right ascension. In Mexico, parts of the southern USA, some Pacific islands and New Zealand this distance will be so close as to lead to a lunar occultation of Mercury, meaning the Moon will pass in front of Mercury thereby hiding it from view temporarily.

You can find both celestial bodies in the constellation of Aquarius, with the Moon at apparent magnitude -8.7 and Mercury at apparent magnitude -0.6. The Moon will be a one day old waxing crescent at 4%.

February 19: Mercury at greatest eastern elongation

Mercury will be at its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky, making it the best time to view the planet. Look for it low in the western sky just before sunrise. It will be at apparent magnitude -0.6 in the constellation of Aquarius. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of the Moon and Mercury on February 18.) The Moon will be a 2 days old waxing crescent at 8%.

February 20: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn

The Moon and Saturn will reach conjunction passing within 4°38′ of each other while sharing the same right ascension.

You can find both celestial bodies in the constellation of Pisces, with the Moon at apparent magnitude -9.9 and Saturn at magnitude 1.0. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of Saturn and Neptune on February 16.) The Moon will be a 3 days old waxing crescent at 10%.

February 24: Close approach of the Moon and the Pleiades

The Moon and the Pleiades star cluster (M45) will make a close approach or appulse, by passing within 1°10′ of each other. This will happen in the constellation of Taurus. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing Uranus ending retrograde motion on February 4.)

You can observe this astronomical event with the naked eye because the Moon will be at apparent magnitude -11.9 and M45 at 1.3. The Moon will be a 7 days old waxing gibbous at 52%.

February 26: Conjunction of Venus and Mercury

Venus and Mercury will reach conjunction passing within 4°41′ of each other while sharing the same right ascension.

Venus will be at apparent magnitude -3.9 in the constellation of Aquarius and Mercury at magnitude -0.2 in the neighboring constellation of Pisces. (Constellation maps already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of the Moon and Mercury on February 18 and the conjunction of Saturn and Neptune on February 16.) The Moon will be a 9 days old waxing gibbous at 82%.

February 27: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter

The Moon and Jupiter will be at conjunction by sharing the same right ascension and passing within 3°57′ of each other.

Around the same time, the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 3°54′ from each other, but not sharing the same right ascension.

The two celestial bodies will meet in the constellation of Gemini with the Moon at apparent magnitude of -12.5 and Jupiter at -2.5. The Moon will be 10 days old waxing gibbous at 85%.

February 27: Asteroid 7 Iris at opposition

The asteroid 7 Iris will be at opposition at around midnight local time. This means it will reach the highest point in the sky and opposite to the Sun. At around the same time the large asteroid will also come closest to the Earth (perigee) at a distance of 1.509 AU and will be at its brightest at apparent magnitude of 8.9. Look for the asteroid in the constellation of Sextans. It was discovered in 1847 by John Russell Hind and named after the rainbow goddess Iris from Greek mythology. Iris is not perfectly spherical, but its mean diameter is about 200 km.

February 28: Close approach of the Moon and Beehive Cluster

The Moon and the Beehive Cluster (also known as M44 or Messier 44) will make a close approach for a second time this month, passing within 1°27′ of each other.

Both objects will be in the constellation of Cancer with the Moon being at apparent magnitude -12.6; and the Beehive Cluster at 3.1. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the close approach of the Moon and Beehive Cluster on February 1.) The Moon will be at the full moon phase.

Positions of the Planets in February 2026

• Mercury: The closest planet to the Sun can be seen at dawn and dusk travelling across the constellations of Capricornus, Aquarius, and then Pisces. 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 Capricornus and Aquarius. Just like Mercury, Venus can only be seen at dawn and dusk.
• Mars: The red planet can be seen in the constellation of Capricornus.
• Jupiter: The gas giant is visible in the constellation of Gemini. 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 Pisces.
• Uranus: The ice giant can be seen in the constellation of Taurus 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 2026

• Ceres: The asteroid belt’s lone dwarf planet can be seen in the constellation of Cetus with the help of a telescope.
• Vesta: This large asteroid can be seen in the constellation of Capricornus with a telescope.
• Pallas: The asteroid can be observed with a telescope in the constellation of Aquarius.
• Hygiea: The fourth largest asteroid can be found with a telescope in the constellation of Taurus.
• 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 2026

• March 3: Total lunar eclipse
• March 11: Jupiter ends retrograde motion
• March 14: γ-Normids meteor shower peak
• March 18: Comet 88P/Howell at perihelion
• March 21: Asteroid 20 Massalia at opposition
• March 26: Mars at perihelion

Conclusion

This month offers a packed skywatching calendar, with planetary conjunctions, a meteor shower, a comet, and an annular solar eclipse all on display. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned skywatcher, stargazing this February 2026 is a great opportunity to step outside, look up, and reconnect with the wonders of astronomy throughout the month.

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 2026