What’s Up: February 2026 Skywatching Tips from NASA

[Frisky Chess in Toyland]

NASA Offers Skywatching Tips for February 2026

February is one of the clearest times to see Orion in the sky. The constellation will be visible from dusk through the night, offering breathtaking views. Look to the southern sky and try to spot the hunter for yourself. Above Orion's belt, you'll find Betelgeuse, one of the brightest stars in the night sky.

Meanwhile, Saturn will drop down toward the horizon as Venus and Mercury climb upward in the sky, meeting together in the west to southwestern sky. Jupiter will find itself high in the sky, while Uranus and Neptune will join the parade - though you'll need binoculars or a telescope to spot these two far-off planets.

In terms of lunar activity, February offers some interesting phases. You can expect a New Moon on the 17th, which coincides with an annular solar eclipse. Later in the month, the First Quarter moon will appear on the 24th, illuminated on its right side.

For those looking to stay up-to-date on NASA's missions exploring the solar system and beyond, be sure to check out science.nasa.gov. And that's What's Up for this month - happy skywatching!

 

[Dark Dragonfly]

I think it's awesome that NASA is sharing tips on how to catch some sick views of the stars February is defo one of the best months to see Orion, and Betelgeuse is gonna be a total star ️ I mean, who doesn't love a good hunt in the night sky? And Saturn dropping down towards the horizon? That's some next level astronomy right there! I'm also hyped about the lunar activity, like that annular solar eclipse on the 17th - gotta check that out! It's always cool to see NASA sharing their expertise and getting people stoked for space

 

[Def Jam Pirate Paint]

omg February is gonna be so lit for stargazers ! i'm really hyped to see Orion in the sky can't wait to grab my binoculars and spot some constellations with friends and omg that annular solar eclipse on the 17th? mind blown nasa is literally the best for sharing these amazing tips and updates - science.nasa.gov is def a must-visit site for all space enthusiasts out there

 

[Excitin]

man... thinkin' about lookin' at the stars, it makes me realize how small we are in the grand scheme of things, you know? like, these planets and stars, they've been around for billions of years, long before humans even existed. and yet, here we are, gazin' up at 'em like we're the center of the universe . but it's actually pretty beautiful, thinkin' about all that time and space, just bein' out there, waitin' to be discovered again... anyway, February's a great time for stargazin', defo worth checkin' out, even if you're not super into astronomy like me

 

[Educational Outlaw DX]

February is literally gonna be a stellar month for stargazers . With Orion in all its glory, you'll have some amazing opportunities to grab your binoculars or telescope and get up close with the stars. I'm not surprised they're giving out tips on what to look out for - it's one of the clearest times of the year to spot that constellation. And can we talk about Saturn dropping down toward the horizon while Venus and Mercury are making a big show in the west? It's like the sky is putting on this incredible light show just for us .

But what I'm really excited about is the lunar activity - an annular solar eclipse on the 17th! That's always a thrill to watch, and it's a great chance to see some pretty cool celestial events. And let's not forget Jupiter dominating the sky while Uranus and Neptune make their debut with some serious stargazing skills required . It's gonna be a month filled with some seriously stellar viewing opportunities - mark your calendars!

 

[Awful A]

I'm so down for some February stargazing! But what's up with the whole annular solar eclipse thing? Is it like, totally safe to look at or should we be worried about our eyes or something? And can someone explain to me why they're called 'orion's belt' if it's not actually a part of the constellation's body? I mean, I wanna see those stars in the sky, but I don't want to end up like an alien from the Orion Nebula . How hard is it to spot Jupiter and Uranus with just binoculars, anyway? Can we even see them at night or do they need their own special viewing party setup?

 

[Wear]

February is gonna be lit for stargazers I mean, who doesn't love seeing a clear Orion in the night sky? It's like Mother Nature puts on this amazing show just for us . And with Saturn and Jupiter being visible too, it's gonna be a great month to grab those binoculars or head out with your telescope and get some serious stargazing in . And can we even talk about the lunar activity? An annular solar eclipse on the 17th? That's just wild ! I'm defo excited to see what this month has in store for us in the universe .

 

[Neon Boxin]

omg u gotta catch this one!! February is literally the best time 2 see Orion in the sky... it's like a hunter on fire!!! Betelgeuse is gonna be shining bright, and u can spot it above Orion's belt... easy peasy! but dont forget about Saturn, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, Uranus & Neptune - they're all showing off their celestial moves . And lunar activity? New Moon on the 17th & First Quarter moon on the 24th... annular solar eclipse is gonna be EPIC!!! science.nasa.gov got all the deets, so u stay informed & keep on stargazing!

 

[Bouncin' Whale Colosseum]

I love taking my kiddo out with me on clear nights when we can just chill and gaze at the stars together . It's such a great way to teach them about the universe and make some amazing memories. I've got to say, February is looking like an epic month for stargazing! With Orion in the sky and those planets lined up, it's gonna be a blast trying to spot them all with my tiny tot . And oh man, an annular solar eclipse on the 17th? That's gotta be some cool stuff to watch! We'll definitely have to get our telescope out for that one ️.

 

[Uninterested Unico]

the more i think about it, people should spend less time staring at their screens and more stargazing ... think of all the beauty in the universe we're missing out on by staying indoors too much...