\nWednesday, March 18: New moon and spring asterisms (after dark)<\/p>\n
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See the Big Dipper on March 18. (Image credit: Starry Night.)<\/p>\n
Tonight the moon<\/a> is at or very near its new phase, leaving the night sky completely dark as it passes through the sun’s glare. It’s a perfect time to trace the big, familiar asterisms<\/a>: the Big Dipper<\/a> getting higher in the northeast, the Sickle of Leo curling around Regulus in the east, and the bright stars<\/a> of winter \u2014 Sirius<\/a>, Rigel and a “guest star,” Jupiter<\/a> \u2014 in the west. The night sky is at a crossroads, with the stars of spring rising to edge out the stars of winter. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n 2026-03-17T10:23:43.707Z \n See the Cancer constellation on March 17. (Image credit: Starry Night.)<\/p>\n It may be one of the signs of the zodiac<\/a> \u2014 a group of stars<\/a> that the sun passes through each year \u2014 but Cancer is a surprisingly faint constellation. It takes the shape of an upside-down “Y” (or a crab), but you’re most likely to find it by looking for two stars \u2014 Asellus Borealis and Asellus Australis \u2014 about halfway between bright stars Castor<\/a> and Pollux<\/a> in Gemini (and, this year, Jupiter<\/a>) and Regulus<\/a> in Leo. However, it’s not the stars you want to look at, but what’s between them \u2014 M44, better known as the Beehive Cluster, 100 gravitationally bound stars that can be seen as a smudge by the naked eye from a dark sky site. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n 2026-03-13T09:07:43.640Z \n See the Lynx on March 13. (Image credit: Starry Night.)<\/p>\n If you already know the bright stars<\/a> of winter and you can easily spot the Winter Hexagon, it’s time to find something new \u2014 albeit rather faint. The Lynx constellation comprises eight dim stars \u2014 the brightest being Alpha Lyncis \u2014 that trace a wavy line, which isn’t easy to find. However, this is the time of year to spot it and, in 2026, there’s a handy signpost in the form of the planet Jupiter<\/a>. Look south after dark and find the bright planet, which will be to the right of the bright stars of Gemini, Castor<\/a> and Pollux<\/a>. Those “Twin” stars are between Jupiter and the lowest and brightest star in Lynx, Alpha Lyncis. Now find Capella, high above, in Auriga. The Lynx runs upwards from Alpha Lyncis, perpendicular to a line from Jupiter to Capella. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n Saturday, March 14: A crescent moon and the Summer Triangle (before dawn)<\/p>\n \n See a crescent moon and the Summer Triangle on March 14. (Image credit: Starry Night.)<\/p>\n About an hour before sunrise, look low in the southeast to find a delicate crescent moon, now 22%-illuminated. It sits in a relatively star-poor region of the sky, but look above, and you’ll see the three bright stars<\/a> of the Summer Triangle \u2014 Deneb<\/a>, Vega<\/a> and Altair<\/a>, forming an arrow that points down at the moon<\/a>. Why are they visible in March? What you see in the pre-dawn sky in March is what you’ll see in the early evening sky in six months, in September. Getting up early is a great way to fast-forward the sky and get a stargazing preview. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n Sunday, March 15: A crescent moon and Earthshine (before dawn)<\/p>\n \n Enjoy a moonless evening sky shortly after sunset on March 15. (Image credit: Bernt Olsen via Getty Images)<\/p>\n Look low in the southeast about an hour before sunrise to hunt for a slim crescent moon, just 14%-illuminated and only two days from new. You may need binoculars to pick it out of the brightening twilight, but once found, try to see it with just your eyes. The rest of the lunar disk is faintly outlined by the soft ashen light of Earthshine \u2014 sunlight reflected from Earth<\/a> back onto the moon<\/a>. It’s a beautiful sight, but for scientists, it’s also alarming. Earthshine is dimming<\/a> as the reflective clouds<\/a> over the Pacific Ocean change with the climate, making Earth reflect less light. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n Monday, March 16: A crescent moon and Mercury (before sunrise)<\/p>\n \n See a crescent moon and Mercury on March 16. (Image credit: Starry Night.)<\/p>\n Here’s a chance to see the old moon in the new moon<\/a>‘s arms. Visible low in the east-southeast about 45 minutes before sunrise will be a crescent moon, just 8%-illuminated and only a day from its new phase. You may need binoculars to pick it out of the brightening twilight, but once you have, range left for a tiny, bright dot \u2014 the planet Mercury<\/a>. However, do make sure you’re not using binoculars close to sunrise where you are<\/a>, since pointing optics at the sun<\/a> is very dangerous.<\/p>\n 2026-03-11T10:06:04.603Z \n The moon will reach its last quarter phase on March 11. (Image credit: Starry Night.)<\/p>\n The moon<\/a> reached its last (or third) quarter phase today and will rise half-lit around 3 a.m. for stargazers in the U.S. That means a completely moonlight-free evening sky not just for tonight, but for the next week and, effectively, until a crescent moon brightens around March 22. It’s the perfect time to embrace the dark skies and look up to explore the stars<\/a> and constellations<\/a> or, if you’re fortunate, to enjoy a spectacular display of northern lights<\/a>. This time of year (and the same period in April) is often when dark-sky festivals, star parties, and events are held. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n Thursday, March 12: Winter Milky Way (before dawn)<\/p>\n \n See the winter Milky Way on March 12. (Image credit: Photo by: Alan Dyer \/VW PICS\/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)<\/p>\n The Milky Way<\/a> is normally associated with summer, yet that view of our galaxy’s bright core is \u2014 from the Northern Hemisphere \u2014 essentially a southern sight. The farther south you are, the more of the galaxy’s bright core you see, typically between April and October. However, the northern winter Milky Way is just as pretty (albeit not as bright). Find somewhere without light pollution and look southwest as the sky darkens and you’ll see the stars<\/a> of the winter night sky. Now scan from the southwest to the northwest. You’ll see Aldebaran and the Pleiades<\/a> star cluster, Capella in Auriga, the bright stars of Orion, and Sirius<\/a>, the brightest star in the night sky (as well as bright planet Jupiter<\/a>). Scan across to the W-shaped Cassiopeia constellation. You’ve just found the winter Milky Way. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T11:20:01.228Z \n Auroras become more likely in mid-March. (Image credit: Steven Robinson Pictures via Getty Images)<\/p>\n With the fading of the full moon’s light and the coming of the vernal equinox on March 20, the rest of March is a time to be on alert for auroras<\/a>, which statistically become twice as likely. As the equinox<\/a> nears, Earth’s axis is becoming perpendicular to the sun<\/a>. This opens up cracks in Earth’s magnetosphere<\/a> \u2014 the region of space where its magnetic field dominates \u2014 allowing in more charged particles from the solar wind<\/a> and so a higher likelihood of aurora. This so-called Russell-McPherron Effect<\/a> will be in play for the rest of the month, so keep an eye on the aurora forecast<\/a>. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n Tuesday, March 10: Antares and the moon in conjunction (before dawn)<\/p>\n \n See the moon and Antares on March 10. (Image credit: Starry Night.)<\/p>\n A waning gibbous moon, now 60%-illuminated, will shine about a degree \u2014 the width of your little finger at arm’s length \u2014 from Antares<\/a> in the constellation Scorpius<\/a> tonight. Stargazers in North America will see the duo rise close to one another a couple of hours before sunrise, while those in New Zealand and the South Pacific will see the moon<\/a> pass directly in front of Antares, blocking its light, according to In-The-Sky.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n This bright star’s name translates from Latin as “rival of Ares,” the Greek word for the planet Mars<\/a>. That comes from the fact that the red supergiant Antares has an unmistakably orange-ish tint when viewed with the naked eye, giving it a similar appearance to Mars. It also shines on the ecliptic, so it’s sometimes close to Mars. About 550 light-years<\/a> from the solar system<\/a>, Antares was called a “Royal Star” by the Babylonians and Persians, along with Aldebaran, Regulus and Fomalhaut. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n 2026-03-06T09:35:40.203Z \n See Venus and Saturn in conjunction on March 7. (Image credit: Starry Night.)<\/p>\n In early January, Venus<\/a> passed into the sun<\/a>‘s glare as seen from Earth<\/a>, marking its transition to the post-sunset sky to begin its long reign as the “Evening Star<\/a>.” Each evening has seen it rise just a little higher, while Saturn<\/a>, above, slowly descends after being ever-present in the night sky for the last six months. Tonight, the two planets will pass each other closely, getting to within about a single degree (the width of your little finger at arm’s length). Look due west about 45 minutes after sunset to see Venus and Saturn in a twilight conjunction. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n Sunday, March 8: Venus and Saturn in a twilight conjunction (after dark)<\/p>\n \n See Venus and Saturn in conjunction on March 8. (Image credit: Starry Night.)<\/p>\n Look due west about 45 minutes after sunset for another chance to see Venus<\/a> and Saturn<\/a> in conjunction. Last night, the two bodies were close to each other, with Saturn highest. Tonight, the positions are reversed, with Venus rising above Saturn to begin its reign as the “Evening Star<\/a>.” By March 25, Saturn will be in conjunction with the sun<\/a> and will rise into the pre-dawn sky during April.<\/p>\n 2026-03-05T09:18:17.514Z \n Zodiacal light becomes visible after sunset in late February. (Image credit: Photo by: Alan Dyer\/VW Pics\/UIG via Getty Images)<\/p>\n Have you ever seen the solar system glow? If you can get yourself to a very dark place during the next two weeks (until the post-sunset moon becomes bright again), then you may spot what keen-eyed skywatchers call zodiacal light \u2014 sunlight scattered by interplanetary dust in the plane of the solar system<\/a>, specifically in the asteroid belt<\/a> between Mars<\/a> and Jupiter<\/a>. It looks like a triangle of light above the sunset point in the west, about an hour after sunset. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n Friday, March 6: A \u2018morning Moon\u2019 and Spica (before sunrise, after sunrise)<\/p>\n \n See the moon during the early morning on March 6. (Image credit: Starry Night.)<\/p>\n The 91%-illuminated waning gibbous moon will this morning shine a couple of degrees from the star Spica<\/a>, the brightest in the constellation Virgo<\/a>. Look to the southeast very late on Thursday, March 5, up until about an hour before sunrise on Friday, March 6, when Spica will vanish to leave an easily visible “morning moon” hanging above the southwestern horizon. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n 2026-03-04T13:11:11.468Z \n See the winter constellations on March 4. (Image credit: Photo by: Alan Dyer\/VW PICS\/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)<\/p>\n Tonight’s 98% waning gibbous moon will rise in the east after sunset, hot on the heels of last night’s total lunar eclipse<\/a>. Tear your gaze away from its luminous disk and look towards the southwest. Here, the famous constellations<\/a> of winter \u2014 Orion<\/a>, Taurus<\/a>, Auriga<\/a>, Canis Minor and Canis Major<\/a> and Gemini<\/a> \u2014 are sliding slowly toward the western horizon, along with the “guest star” Jupiter<\/a>. Take a last lingering look at the bright winter stars. By next month, they’ll be relegated to the early evening sky, as spring’s constellations take over. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n 2026-03-02T11:08:33.750Z \n See the nearly full moon below Regulus on March 2. (Image credit: Starry Night.)<\/p>\n Now 99.8%-illuminated, the waxing gibbous moon is mere hours from being full, around which time it will slip into the deepest part of Earth<\/a>‘s shadow, triggering a spectacular total lunar eclipse<\/a>. As dark sets in after sunset, you’ll notice not only that the brightness of the moon<\/a> increases, but also that a star will brighten above it. That’s Regulus, which it passed close to yesterday, while the bright planet Jupiter<\/a> will also be visible glowing high above in the southeast among the stars<\/a> of Gemini. It’s a perfect rehearsal for tomorrow morning’s total lunar eclipse<\/a>. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n Tuesday, March 3: A total lunar eclipse (before dawn)<\/p>\n \n A map showing where the March 3 total lunar eclipse is visible. (Image credit: NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio)<\/p>\n In the early hours before dawn, a total lunar eclipse<\/a> will turn the full “Worm Moon” into a “blood moon<\/a>.” Europe won’t see anything of the event, while only the western half of North America (as well as the Pacific region, Australia, New Zealand and east Asia) will see the entire 5 hours, 38 minutes-long event between 08:44 and 14:22 UTC. The highlight will be a spectacular 58-minute-long totality from 11:04 to 12:02 UTC. That translates to the following local times in North America:<\/p>\n Eastern time: 6:04-7:02 a.m. EST on March 3, 2026 (the moon will set during totality in the Eastern time zone)<\/p>\n Central time: 5:04-6:02 a.m. CST on March 3, 2026<\/p>\n Mountain time: 4:04-5:02 a.m. MST on March 3, 2026<\/p>\n Pacific time: 3:04-4:02 a.m PST on March 3, 2026<\/p>\n Alaska time: 2:04-3:02 a.m. AKST on March 3, 2026<\/p>\n Hawaii time: 1:04-2:02 a.m. HST on March 3, 2026<\/p>\n The moon<\/a> will be high in the southwest during totality, while farther east it hangs low in the west. No eye protection is needed \u2014 just a clear sky, warm clothes and patience as one of skywatching’s most glorious events occurs for the last time over North America until June 25, 2029. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n Stay up to date with the latest eclipse news and images with our total lunar eclipse live blog<\/a> and discover how to watch the March 3 blood moon eclipse online, for free with these handy livestreams<\/a>.<\/p>\n 2026-02-27T09:31:15.426Z \n See the moon, Jupiter, and the “twins” of Gemini gather on Feb. 27. (Image credit: Starry Night)<\/p>\n Now 87%-illuminated, the waxing gibbous moon will tonight form a bright trio with Castor<\/a> and Pollux<\/a> in Gemini. Together with bright Jupiter<\/a> nearby, they’ll form a pattern of stars akin to the tail of Scorpius, the Scorpion, a summer constellation currently visible just before dawn. As you look at Pollux and Castor, consider what different stars they are to our sun; Pollux is one star with a planet, called Thestias, in orbit, while Castor is actually three large stars all orbiting each other, with each a binary, making it a bizarre six-star system. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n Saturday, Feb. 28: A final ‘planet parade’ (after dark)<\/p>\n \n See a parade of planets on Feb. 28. (Image credit: Starry Night)<\/p>\n Look west just after sunset for a trio of planets that’s on the verge of breaking up. The most obvious by now will be Venus<\/a>, blazing away at magnitude -3.9 as it climbs higher to dominate much of 2026’s post-sunset night sky. To its right will be Mercury,<\/a> shining at magnitude 1.95 \u2014 200 times dimmer than Venus and now slinking back into the sun’s glare. Above, both will be Saturn, at magnitude 1, about 90 times dimmer than Venus, and also heading for the sun’s glare. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n Read more: February’s ‘rare planetary alignment’ peaks this week \u2014 here’s what to look for in the planet parade<\/a><\/p>\n Sunday, Mar. 1: A pre-eclipse moon and Regulus (after dark)<\/p>\n \n See the nearly full moon approach Regulus on Mar. 1 (Image credit: Starry Night)<\/p>\n Tonight, the moon is almost full and poised for a significant event. Easily visible in the hour before sunset, the 97%-illuminated orb will get brighter as twilight gets hold, just as Regulus, Leo’s brightest star, emerges below it. From North America this evening, the moon will get closer to Regulus as the night wears on. It’s a perfect time to familiarize yourself with the scene \u2014 and get yourself a good observing position \u2014 because in just a couple of nights, in the early hours of Tuesday, Mar. 3, 2026 (3:44 to 9:22 a.m. EST), the same moon will turn coppery-red during a dramatic total lunar eclipse<\/a> as the Worm Moon slides through Earth’s shadow. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n Stay up to date with the latest blood moon<\/a> action with our total lunar eclipse live blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n 2026-02-26T09:13:07.248Z \n See the moon with Jupiter and Gemini on Feb. 26. (Image credit: Starry Night.)<\/p>\n This evening, Gemini hosts a slow-motion rendezvous. After dark, look high in the southeast to find Jupiter<\/a> shining brightly in Gemini, with the 72%-illuminated waxing gibbous moon just above. Close by will be Castor<\/a> and Pollux<\/a>, the two brightest stars<\/a> \u2014 and “twins” \u2014 in Gemini, together forming a loose rectangle shape. Blue-white Castor and yellow-ish Pollux are 51 and 34 light-years<\/a> from the sun<\/a>, respectively, making them close neighbours. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n 2026-02-25T10:57:02.554Z \n See the moon near Aldebaran on Feb. 25. (Image credit: Starry Night.)<\/p>\n The waxing gibbous moon travels through the constellation Taurus<\/a>, the bull, high in the southern sky tonight, posing between the bright stars<\/a> Elnath (translation: “the butting one”) and Zeta Tauri, which mark the tips of the horns of the celestial animal.<\/p>\n It will be roughly halfway between bright planet Jupiter<\/a>, still blazing away at magnitude<\/a> -2.4, and the Pleiades star cluster (M45). Look below the line from the Pleiades<\/a> to the moon for the red star Aldebaran, the eye of the bull, itself set against a loose “V” shape of stars called the Hyades, one of the closest star clusters to the solar system at just 151 light-years<\/a>. For comparison, the Pleiades is 444 light-years distant. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n 2026-02-24T10:43:01.756Z \n See the first quarter moon high in the south on Feb. 24. (Image credit: Dr K Kar via Getty Images)<\/p>\n The moon<\/a> reaches its first quarter at 2:28 a.m. EST (0728 GMT) today and by evening it stands high in the southern sky, with its right side fully lit by the sun<\/a>. Along the terminator \u2014 the dividing line between lunar day and night \u2014 sunlight casts long shadows from crater rims and mountain ranges, giving the moon’s edge a ragged look. Later in the day, the moon also passes perigee, its closest point to Earth<\/a> this month. That makes it a slightly larger and brighter first-quarter moon than it is typical. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n 2026-02-23T10:02:07.205Z \n Look for the moon shining close to the Pleiades tonight (Feb. 23). (Image credit: Starry Night)<\/p>\n This evening, the nearly first-quarter moon pays a close visit to the Pleiades<\/a> star cluster (also called M45) in Taurus<\/a>.<\/p>\n As darkness falls, look high in the south. You’ll see the bright half-lit moon with a small, hazy patch of light nearby \u2014 that’s the Pleiades. As it gets dark in North America, there will be barely more than a degree apart \u2014 the width of a thumb held outstretched against the night sky. The moon’s glare will wash out the fainter stars, but the main “mini-dipper” pattern of the Pleiades should still be visible. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n 2026-02-20T09:15:36.074Z \n See Mercury at its best in the evening sky on Feb. 20. (Image credit: Starry Night.)<\/p>\n If you’ve never knowingly seen Mercury<\/a>, tonight is an excellent opportunity. Around 45-60 minutes after sunset, face west-southwest and look for the moon<\/a> \u2014 a slender crescent now about 14%-illuminated. Now drop your gaze down and slightly right to find Saturn<\/a>, then Mercury.<\/p>\n The innermost planet reaches its highest altitude in its current evening apparition this weekend, soon after passing the point of greatest elongation east \u2014 when the rocky world is at its greatest apparent distance from the sun<\/a> \u2014 on Feb. 19. An unobstructed horizon is key \u2014 as are clear air and clear skies \u2014 but there’s something particularly satisfying about picking out a world that spends most of its life lost in the sun’s glare. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n Saturday, Feb. 21: Winter constellations under a young moon (after dark)<\/p>\n \n See the winter constellations under a young moon on Feb. 21. (Image credit: Starry Night.)<\/p>\n The now 22%-illuminated waxing crescent moon is gone from the night sky about 3 hours after dark, leaving much of the night free of moonlight. Use it to revisit the winter showpieces: Orion riding high in the south, with Sirius<\/a> and Canis Major below, Procyon to the left and Aldebaran and Taurus<\/a> to the right. Jupiter<\/a> still gleams high in Gemini. Once the moon<\/a> sets, step away from city lights if you can and let your eyes adapt for 20 minutes; under dark conditions, you’ll see the Milky Way<\/a> threading between these constellations<\/a> as a soft, luminous band. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n Sunday, Feb. 22: The winter triangle takes flight (after dark)<\/p>\n \n See Sirius and the Winter Triangle on Feb. 22. (Image credit: Starry Night.)<\/p>\n Shortly after nightfall, the Winter Triangle is perfectly placed. Find Orion in the south, then follow the thre stars<\/a> of his famous belt down and left to Sirius<\/a> in Canis Major \u2014 the brightest star in the night sky. Now, look up and left to Procyon<\/a> in Canis Minor, and then up and right to reddish Betelgeuse<\/a> in Orion’s shoulder. Those three stars form a large, almost equilateral triangle. Above Procyon is bright Jupiter<\/a>, which threatens to make the Winter Triangle more of a Winter Kite shape this year. Tonight, a 32% waxing crescent moon glows in the west, but it sets midway through the evening. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n 2026-02-19T09:17:15.418Z \n See a crescent moon with planets on Feb. 19. (Image credit: Starry Night.)<\/p>\n Dusk this evening features a subtle planetary tableau. Look above the west-southwestern horizon about 45-90 minutes after sunset. A 10%-illuminated waxing crescent moon hangs in twilight, with Saturn<\/a> about 3 degrees to its lower left. Below them, Mercury<\/a> is at greatest eastern elongation from the sun<\/a> \u2014 about 18 degrees, or approximately close to the width of two clenched fists held at arm’s length \u2014 and near its highest altitude in the evening sky for this apparition. From mid-northern latitudes, it stands roughly 10 degrees above the horizon 45 minutes after sunset, a small but bright point below the moon-Saturn pair. If you’re quick, you may also catch Venus<\/a> below them, close to the horizon. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n 2026-02-18T09:10:06.691Z \n See a young moon and Mercury on Feb. 18. (Image credit: Starry Night.)<\/p>\n Most major religions use a lunar calendar. The moon’s phases<\/a> determine the dates of Easter in Christianity and Passover in Judaism. The same goes for Islam, whose holy month of Ramadan begins tonight with the first sighting of the New Moon<\/a>. It emerges from the sun<\/a>‘s glare tonight and should be relatively easy to spot. Although it’s only going to be about 2%-illuminated, the razor-thin crescent moon will hang just below Mercury<\/a>, with bright Venus<\/a> below, closer to the horizon. Look about 30-60 minutes after sunset this evening, low over the west-southwestern horizon. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n 2026-02-17T10:54:23.768Z \n See the dark new-moon sky on Feb. 17. (Image credit: Philip Yabut via Getty Images)<\/p>\n New moon occurs at 07:01 UT today (2:01 a.m. EST), bringing the darkest night skies of the month for North America. At that moment, a \u201cring of fire\u201d annular solar eclipse<\/a> sweeps across remote Antarctica, with only a partial eclipse visible from the far south of South America and southern Africa. None of it is seen from North America, but the new moon\u2019s alignment with the sun is not without significance. This eclipse might go unseen, but they always come in pairs \u2014 and the next one on Mar. 3 is a total lunar eclipse<\/a> visible in North America. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n Also read: Annular solar eclipse 2026: Everything you need to know about the ‘ring of fire.’<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-02-16T09:00:02.374Z \n See Orion\u2019s Belt on Feb. 16. (Image credit: Starry Night.)<\/p>\n There are few more iconic sites in the night sky than the three bright stars of Orion’s Belt<\/a>, which can be seen easily tonight by anyone looking south after dark from the northern hemisphere. These three stars<\/a> have different meanings across cultures. In China, Orion is known as Shen, meaning “three stars,” which lies across the vast White Tiger of the West and the Vermilion Bird of the South quadrants of the night sky. In M\u0101ori culture in New Zealand, it’s the Tautoru (“string of three”) that forms the stern of the celestial canoe, Te Waka o Rangi.<\/p>\n In contrast, in the Lakota culture in North America, they’re called Tayamnicankhu and represent the spine of a bison. The reality? Alnitak, Alnilam and Mintaka are all supergiant stars about 800-1,260, 2,000 and 900-1,200 light-years<\/a> from the solar system<\/a>, respectively. There is, therefore, no belt; stargazing is always about a point of view, both cosmically and culturally. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n 2026-02-13T09:27:03.934Z \n See the zodiacal light after dusk on Feb. 13. (Image credit: Barry Burgess \/ 500px via Getty Images)<\/p>\n February is a great time to hunt for the zodiacal light<\/a> \u2014 but you’ll need a dark, rural sky free of light pollution . Look toward the west about 60-90 minutes after sunset, where the sun<\/a> has just set. You’re looking for a faint, broad cone of light extending up from the horizon along the line of the zodiac<\/a>. It looks like a “false dusk” in the evening sky. The glow comes from sunlight scattering off dust particles in the inner solar system<\/a>, concentrated in the plane of the planets’ orbits (though some think it may be “Mars light<\/a>“). With the moon<\/a> out of the night sky, this is one of the better windows of the year to spot this subtle, ethereal phenomenon with the naked eye. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n Sunday, Feb. 15: Jupiter at its February best (after dark)<\/p>\n \n See Jupiter at its February best on Feb. 15. (Image credit: Starry night.)<\/p>\n By mid-February, Jupiter<\/a> is in prime position for easy evening viewing. Step outside around dinnertime to find it 30 degrees above the eastern horizon for stargazers in most of North America, shining at about magnitude<\/a> \u20132.5 in the constellation Gemini<\/a>. It’s the perfect anchor for casual stargazing sessions. Use Jupiter as a bright signpost in the early evening just after dark: look to its left to find the bright stars<\/a> Castor<\/a> and Pollux<\/a>, beneath it will be Procyon, and to the right for Orion, mapping out much of the winter sky’s brightest stars<\/a> from a single brilliant planet.<\/p>\n 2026-02-12T08:56:12.514Z \n See the Big Dipper climbing higher on Feb. 12. (Image credit: Starry Night.)<\/p>\n On February evenings, the Big Dipper<\/a> is making its seasonal climb. Look to the northeast after dark to find its familiar “saucepan” shape just above the horizon, its handle low on the horizon appearing to support its bowl above. Over the next few hours, the Dipper will rise higher, eventually hanging high in the north on spring nights. Because it’s circumpolar from most of North America, it never sets, but its changing orientation makes it a handy seasonal clock. Tonight, use the two “Pointer” stars<\/a> (Dubhe and Merak) at the bowl’s top edge to find Polaris<\/a> \u2014 and true north \u2014 by tracing a line between them and going about 3.5 times that distance west. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n Friday, Feb. 13: Old moon in the new moon\u2019s arms (before dawn)<\/p>\n \n See a waning crescent moon on Feb. 13. (Image credit: Starry Night.)<\/p>\n Rise about an hour before the sun<\/a> and look to the southeast to witness one of February’s most beautiful and least seen celestial sites \u2014 a 16% waning crescent moon on the cusp of sinking into the sun’s glare ahead of its new moon phase<\/a> on Feb. 17. Tonight is a fabulous example of what stargazers call the “Old moon in the new moon<\/a>‘s arms,” referring to Earthshine \u2014 sunlight reflected from Earth<\/a> back onto the moon<\/a>, gently illuminating its dark face. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n 2026-02-11T10:53:25.526Z \n See Adhara and Mirzam on Feb. 11. (Image credit: Starry Night.)<\/p>\n Canis Major, visible in the south as soon as it gets dark tonight, is one of the most famous constellations<\/a> of all, mostly because it’s home to Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. It’s also one of the closest, at just 8.6 light-years<\/a> from Earth<\/a>. However, two other bright stars in Canis Major are arguably more important \u2014 Adhara<\/a> and Mirzam. A paper published<\/a> in The Astrophysical Journal in December 2025 argues that Adhara and Mirzam passed extremely close to the solar system<\/a> about 4.4 million years ago<\/a>, getting to about four to six times brighter in the night sky than Sirius<\/a> is now. As they did, their intense ultraviolet radiation energized the gases around the sun<\/a>, effectively creating interstellar clouds that shield Earth from harmful energetic particles. It may be why Earth’s ozone layer is intact and able to block harmful UV radiation \u2014 a reason, potentially, for why there’s life on Earth. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n 2026-02-09T13:24:08.399Z \n See the Heavenly \u2018G\u2019 on Feb. 9. (Image credit: Starry Night.)<\/p>\n If you’ve been reading these pages for a while, you’ll know how to find the grand Winter Hexagon (also called the Winter Circle) at this time of year. Start low in the southeast with Sirius<\/a>, the night sky’s brightest star, then move up, going clockwise, to white Procyon in Canis Minor. From there, hop to golden Pollux<\/a> in Gemini \u2014 with dazzling Jupiter<\/a> close by \u2014 before moving up to Capella high overhead in Auriga. Slide across to Aldebaran, the orange eye of Taurus<\/a>, and then down to blue-white Rigel in Orion, before returning to Sirius. Now let’s turn the “O” into a “G” by turning in from Rigel to Betelgeuse<\/a>. After all, Betelgeuse is one of the most famous stars in the night sky \u2014 it seems a shame to leave it out of one of the most glorious regions of the Northern Hemisphere’s night sky. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n Tuesday, Feb. 10: Waning gibbous moon and Antares (before dawn)<\/p>\n \n See a shrinking moon and Antares before dawn on Feb. 10. (Image credit: Starry night.)<\/p>\n In the hours before dawn, look low in the southeast for a 41%-illuminated waning crescent moon near Antares<\/a>, the red heart of Scorpius<\/a>, whose name means “rival of Mars<\/a>” because of its reddish color. Scorpius is a constellation associated with summer evenings. Looking at the pre-dawn stars<\/a> is a great way to get a sneak preview of the stellar bodies that will be prominent in six months time. Meanwhile, the moon<\/a> will be relatively small tonight, having reached apogee \u2014 its farthest point from Earth<\/a> this month \u2014 earlier today. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n 2026-02-06T09:53:08.342Z \n See the moon and Spica share the late-night sky on Feb. 6. (Image credit: Starry Night.)<\/p>\n Tonight, the waning gibbous moon, now 73%-illuminated, drifts into Virgo<\/a> to meet Spica<\/a>, the constellation’s brightest star, 261 light-years<\/a> from the sun<\/a>. From North America, they rise in the east-southeast shortly before midnight. In the early hours of Feb. 7, they’re well up in the southern sky, with the apparent distance between them narrowing to just 1.8 degrees \u2014 about the same distance as a finger outstretched against the night sky. \u2014 Jamie Carter<\/p>\n Saturday, Feb. 7: Leo, herald of spring (after dark)<\/p>\n \n See Leo, the Lion, rise on Feb. 7. (Image credit: Starry Night.)<\/p>\n By mid-evening in February, Leo the Lion<\/a> is lifting itself clear of the eastern horizon. Look for a backward question mark shape \u2014 the \u201cSickle of Leo\u201d \u2014 anchored by bright Regulus at its base. This curve outlines the Lion\u2019s head and mane, while a triangle of stars<\/a> to the left marks his hindquarters and tail, with Denebola at the tip.<\/p>\n
\nTuesday, March 17: Cancer, \u2018The Crab\u2019 constellation (after dark)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/CTRBAgZsyPGDJfg9pz42Jo.png\")
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\nNight sky for tonight and the weekendFriday, March 13: Lynx constellation (after dark)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/WJNU7CyMtTFaFoSg7LxVeZ.png\")
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\nWednesday, March 11: Last quarter moon (around midnight)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/fXfFaM7QoYbYDDqou48oPk.png\")
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\nMonday, March 9: Northern lights season peaks (after dark)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/EpmmAu3TGPfSJn4MbqXgAL.jpg\")
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\nNight sky for the weekendSaturday, March 7: Venus and Saturn in a twilight conjunction (after dark)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/43qk8fpRV3v9HQHA45tEiU.png\")
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\nThursday, March 5: Zodiacal light (after sunset)<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/a4SWawTVq4oPZ5YaZmba8g.jpg\")
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\nWednesday, March 4: Winter constellations (after dark)<\/p>\n![\"Prominent](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/PzaxN9eZ5E6KtEENtCq9hC.jpg\")
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\nMonday, March 2: A pre-eclipse moon and Regulus (after dark)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/YFV6s6aDgUMfpKzJmyiXSH.png\")
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\nNight sky for tonight and the weekendFriday, Feb. 27: A tail of lights (after dark)<\/p>\n![\"night](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oAHXhtcZWTZipVFPSVvVWi.jpg\")
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\nThursday, Feb. 26: A celestial rectangle (after dark)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/VJxtpvfBdj3VQYCiYAKDRg.jpg\")
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\nWednesday, Feb. 25: Moon in the bull\u2019s horns (after dark)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RSoMZWXptEs79ht3a6xRbM.jpg\")
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\nTuesday, Feb. 24: First-quarter perigee moon (after dark)<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/S9YnmwbWHjfy7zb3owaYHg.jpg\")
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\nMonday, Feb. 23: Moon visits the Pleiades (after dark)<\/p>\n![\"graphic](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/462acuqGC9T2chnKenjERH.png\")
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\nNight sky for tonight and the weekendFriday, Feb. 20: Mercury at its evening best (after sunset)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RcreSdbtfWGzF28JgUpw5C.png\")
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\nThursday, Feb. 19: Crescent moon and a \u2018planet parade\u2019 (after sunset)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Be4qLB4joxyJzCBVWB77qi.png\")
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\nWednesday, Feb. 18: A \u2018Ramadan Moon\u2019 and Mercury (after sunset)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/r3NLvXooczMVre3CTp9Fmc.png\")
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\nTuesday, Feb. 17: New moon and Antarctic \u2018ring of fire\u2019 (all night)<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/wD5QGS3ACBcjRoRs5LJMBX.jpg\")
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\nMonday, Feb. 16: Orion\u2019s Belt (after dark)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/cyZ7q6XpdTQW7L9BE8L5YE.png\")
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\nNight sky this weekendSaturday, Feb. 14: Zodiacal light in the west (after dark)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pT3W9UNNiTbpMS3wM4DbmB.jpg\")
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\nThursday, Feb. 12: The Big Dipper on the rise (after dark)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ptpd4HTBfTgp5VdyX6kca.png\")
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\nWednesday, Feb. 11: Adhara and Mirzam (after dark)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/5aQ5rzCkaABwT2EtLgNg8L.png\")
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\nMonday, Feb. 9: The Heavenly \u2018G\u2019 (after dark)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/uYd78fE6LiiQirkT6o9kVW.jpg\")
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\nNight sky for tonight and the weekendFriday, Feb. 6: Moon and Spica (late night)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/L5sMJUhjKpbYjsKHVXrJLB.png\")
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