February – love is in the air and the stars are shining bright. Treat your nearest and dearest to a night under the sky this month and point out the little twinkles in your eye with this guide to what’s overhead.

Lying back on your blanket on the ground and looking up here’s what you can see, given a clear evening, from Glasgow, UK at midnight on 10th February, 2013. By in large the sky will look similar throughout each night of the month so you can use it at roughly the same time each night of the month (click to enlarge the image).

The view overhead from Glasgow at midnight on 10 February 2013

The view overhead from Glasgow, UK at midnight on 10 February 2013

Some things to try find:

The planet Jupiter is the brightest object in the moonless night sky at the moment. It’s sitting to the South West at this time of night in the constellation of Taurus the bull, close to the bright red star Aldebaron.

The South West is a rich part of the sky at this time of night with the familiar sight of the constellations of Orion and Gemini. Some other stand out stars to find in this neck of the night sky woods include Capella, Procyon and Sirius.

Rising in the East is Arcturus. You can find it by tracing the ‘arc’ of the ‘The Plough’ and continuing through the sky. Using ‘The Plough’ you’ll also be able to find Polaris (the ‘North star’).

Moon Phases

Last Quarter – 3rd February 2013, 13:57
New Moon – 10th February 2013, 07:20
First Quarter – 17th February 2013, 20:31
Full Moon – 25th February 2013, 20:26

Times are listed in Universal Time (UT).

Sunrise and set from Glasgow, UK

• 3rd February 2013 – Sunrise 08:07 Sunset 16:55
• 10th February 2013 – Sunrise 07:53 Sunset 17:11
• 17th February 2013 – Sunrise 07:37 Sunset 17:26
• 25th February 2013 – Sunrise 07:18 Sunset 17:43

Times are listed in Universal Time (UT).

http://www.derekshirlaw.co.uk/gaze-up-and-love-the-february-night-sky/