Sky Watch, February
February 1, 2026
by Peter Lutken
January had snow and bitter cold, but February is starting with snow and ice still here in the shade! Winter may not be over yet, but February 2 is Groundhog Day. That's the halfway point from the Winter Solstice to the Spring Equinox, so the days quickly get longer! Here are some good things to look for this month:
Evening Skies: Jupiter is high overhead. Orion, the Pleiades, and the winter stars are up most of the night. When it's clear, the sky is bright and beautiful this time of year!
“Snow” Full Moon: February 1.
Morning Skies: Before sunrise, you can see the Big Dipper and Arcturus straight overhead. The Summer Triangle and the constellation Scorpio are rising in the east/southeast. Spring is coming!
Quarry/Outdoors: Great bird watching in the bare trees! Hundreds of Cedar Waxwings and Robins are all around town, and flocks of wild ducks are still here on area ponds and lakes!
The photo is of a Ruby Crowned Kinglet, only a bit larger than a Hummingbird. It was a cold February day at the Quarry, and he was looking for some company. He had a short but memorable visit with some fifth graders that day!
Put on a coat, head out, and take it all in whenever you can! Then settle in by a fire and remember old friends.
PKL
