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Each month I highlight a number of objects you can spot with the naked eye. So here we go for February 2022!
PLANETS
The planets are relatively shy this month, however Venus puts on a dazzling display!
Venus
Venus is low in the sky rising early morning. (Do not use optical equipment given it is so close to the sun.)
Look in a south- westerly direction and you will see the planet blazing away low in the sky!
VENUS - example- 6am mid month
Courtesy of Stellarium
The Gas Giant - Jupiter
Jupiter
The planet is low down on the horizon as the sun sets - look in a westerly direction of course.
JUPITER - example low down in the west - just prior to sunset
Courtesy of Stellarium
THE CHALLENGE - PLEIADES STAR CLUSTER
Riding high in the night sky this time of the year is the beautiful star cluster- The Seven Sisters- PLEIADES.
It is a group of young stars which have been born together and are now flying through space at high speed. Eventually they will disperse and maybe create their own planetary systems!
It is known as an 'open cluster' which are young stars and quite dispersed. The other type of clusters are populated by old stars and known as 'globular star clusters'.
Pleiades - high in the sky south-west close to ORION
Courtesy of Stellarium
Once you've located the fuzzy blob then use 'averted vision -look slightly to the left or right of the object and you'll see more!
This is my image of the star cluster....it won't look like this!
Image by Chris Baker.
Enjoy the night sky this month and let me know about your observations
Thank you for reading this blog and do let me know if there is anything you would like me to add to my Newsletter each month.