Pearls on a String: See February’s most romantic celestial sights

  • On Feb. 28, shortly after sunset, will be a rare planetary alignment where six planets will be visible in the evening sky simultaneously. (Photo/NASA’s Parade of Planets)
    On Feb. 28, shortly after sunset, will be a rare planetary alignment where six planets will be visible in the evening sky simultaneously. (Photo/NASA’s Parade of Planets)

    Forget the chocolates and the roses—this February, the universe is putting on a celestial light show designed to sweep you (And probably your boo, too!) off your feet.

    As the month of romance unfolds, the night sky is offering a front-row seat to some of the most spectacular sights in the cosmos. Whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or just looking for a unique date night, these four events are perfect for sharing a blanket and a telescope: Mercury’s “Highest Point”: Mercury is usually lost in the Sun’s glare, but on Feb. 19-20 its it sits at its “Greatest Eastern Elongation,” the highest point above the horizon. According to EarthSky, Mercury at its greatest elongation, it’ll be farther from the sunset glare, shining around 0 magnitude and still brighter than most stars. In the evenings after greatest elongation, the innermost planet will fade rapidly as it starts to move between Earth and the sun, meaning its illuminated side will become less and less visible. In Florida, where the horizon is often unobstructed by mountains, this is the perfect time to spot the “Swift Planet.”

    “Galaxy Season” begins: With the New Moon on Feb. 17, the skies will be at their darkest. According to Royal Museums Greenwich, it will give you a chance to escape the light pollution of the Moon and get a good look at some galaxies. RMG stated that the Andromeda Galaxy, one of our closest galactic neighbors at approximately 2.5 million light-years away, is a popular target for astronomy and astrophotography. You’ll find it near the Andromeda and Cassiopeia constellations.

    The “Six-Planet Parade”: On Feb. 28, shortly after sunset, will be a rare planetary alignment where six planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune) will be visible in the evening sky simultaneously. According to NASA, for most observers to see a planet with the naked eye, it needs to be at least a few degrees above the horizon, and 10 degrees or higher is best.

    So, grab a blanket and someone special; after all, in a universe this vast, there’s no better way to celebrate love than by getting lost together in the infinite glow of the stars.