by Erich Karkoschka

Mercury is easily visible in the first half of the month during dust in the west. It disappears after the 18th.

Venus is 40 degrees high at sunset and even 44 degrees by the end of the month. This is close to the maximum possible. It sets after 9 pm. The Moon will visit Venus on the 27th, a beautiful sight.

MAIN EVENT. Occultation of Mars by the Moon on the morning of February 18, well visible from Tucson before dawn in the southeast. It starts about an hour after Mars rises and lasts for another hour. Mars disappears behind the bright side of the Moon at 4:38 am and will reappear at 5:40 am along the dark side. The disappearance will be visible in binoculars as Mars slowly becomes invisible at the bright limb of the Moon. The reappearance will also take about 20 seconds. Since it occurs at the dark limb, it can be observed with the naked eye.

Uranus is 60 degrees high after dusk, visible in binoculars or a telescope.

Morning Sky. Mars rises at 4 am. Jupiter follows at 5 am, and Saturn at 6 am. These three planets will get closer to each other as the month progresses.