Starwatch Newsletter Minnesota Starwatch is a tape-recorded message describing the night sky in the Midwest, which can be called by telelphone number (612) 624-2001 It is updated montly, and is produced by the Department of Astronomy, University of Minnesota 116 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Hello, stargazers. This is Minnesota Starwatch for February 2001.

February is the month for lovers and what better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than by looking at the stars with your sweetie? You'll find some rewarding viewing late that night when the third-quarter moon appears in close proximity to the Red Planet, Mars, and both seem to hover just above red star Antares. Of course, you'll have to stay up until 4am to catch the best view - but who's paying attention to the time when you're in love? Look about 20 degrees above the horizon in the south-southeast sky to see the show.

In general, this February is a great time to view the planets. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn are all visible to the naked eye at times this month between sunset and a little after midnight. Mercury makes the briefest appearance. It's visible only in the first week of the month, hovering above the horizon in the south-southwest sky for barely an hour after sunset. You'll see Venus toward the end of the month when it appears near a waxing sliver of a moon about 15 degrees above the horizon in the western sky around 8pm. This will be our last opportunity for the year to see the moon and Venus together in the evening sky, so make the most of it around February 26th.

Later in the evening, Jupiter and Saturn will make a brilliant appearance this month. Look for them to the right and slightly below the star-studded belt of Orion in the west-southwest sky around 9pm. That very bright star in close proximity to Jupiter is Aldebaran, brightest star of the constellation Taurus the Bull. Bracketing the Jupiter/ Saturn duo on the other side are the Pleiades or Seven Sisters. Should you be lucky enough to find your way to a telescope this month, you'll have a clear view of Jupiter's Red Spot. Early in the month, the Spot will be visible much of the evening on February 2nd and again on February 5th. Saturn, too, makes a great viewing point if you're looking through a telescope. Its rings are easy to spot, and its soft yellow illumination sets off the red/orange glow of nearby Aldebaran. Mars will take the last curtain call of the evening this month, since the planet doesn't rise until after midnight.

Friday night telescope viewing begins at 8pm. Please call 626-0034 for more information.

The Minneapolis Planetarium offers a wide variety of programs for all ages. For more information, call (612) 630-6150.

For those interested in the Minnesota Astronomical Society, call (651) 649-4861 for information on their upcoming events.

Minnesota Starwatch is available online at http://www.astro.umn.edu/Outreach/pub_out.html.

This has been Minnesota Starwatch, produced by the University of Minnesota Astronomy Department in cooperation with WCCO Weather Center.

Last Updated: Thu Jan 18 15:46:51 2001