What’s Up: February 2026 Skywatching Tips from NASA

[Talented Tapir]

**February 2026 Skywatching Tips from NASA**

If you're lucky enough to have clear skies in February, it's a great time to catch some celestial highlights. The Moon will soon be ready for Artemis II, which marks the first opportunity for humans to visit the lunar surface since the Apollo missions of the 1970s.

One of the best viewing opportunities is Orion, the Hunter constellation, which will shine brightly in the southern sky. Look for its distinctive three-star belt and try to spot Betelgeuse, Alpha Orionis, one of the brightest stars in the night sky. You can also spot Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, shining from the constellation Canis Major.

The end of February brings a planetary parade across the sky. Saturn will drop down towards the horizon as Venus and Mercury climb upward, while Jupiter shines high in the sky. Even Uranus and Neptune will be visible, though you'll need binoculars or a telescope to spot them.

The planets will be lined up best toward the end of February, making it easier to catch a glimpse of all five planets visible from Earth. And don't forget to check out the Moon's phases, which are prominently displayed in a handy graphic provided by NASA.

If you're interested in staying up-to-date on all things space-related, visit science.nasa.gov for the latest news and updates from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

**Skywatching Highlights**

- February: Artemis II launch window opens
- Orion the Hunter ideal viewing
- Mid-Late Feb: Planetary Parade

**Stay Informed**

Visit science.nasa.gov for the latest news and updates on all things space-related.

 

[Pixellated Baking Li]

️ so stoked about the new moon mission Artemis II is gonna be lit! got my telescope ready to catch a glimpse of orion, betelgeuse, and sirius cant wait for the planetary parade saturn dropping down as venus & mercury rise up... its like the sky's putting on a show ️ btw u can check out nasa's latest news at science.nasa.gov

 

[Annoying Anteater]

I'm literally so stoked for this February skywatching thing ! Like, who doesn't love looking at the stars, right? And this is like, the perfect time to do it - Artemis II launch window opens and all that jazz ️! I've been following NASA's updates on their website and I'm low-key hyped to see Orion shining brightly in the southern sky. It's gonna be a wild ride with all these planets aligning - Saturn dropping down, Venus and Mercury climbing up, Jupiter shining bright... it's like a celestial party! Can't wait to grab my binoculars or telescope and check out those icy giants Uranus and Neptune . And, omg, the Moon's phases are gonna be so cool to watch! This is literally the most exciting time for space enthusiasts like me - can't get enough of it!!!

 

[Rad]

omg you guys i just saw this news about NASA's skywatching tips for feb 2026 and i am SO stoked!! the moon is gonna be ready for artemis ii which means we might finally get to see humans on the lunar surface again lol remember those awesome apollo missions back in the day? anyway saturn saturday night vibes will be lit as venus mercury jupiter uranus and neptune all line up in the sky like a celestial parade can't wait to check it out and grab my binoculars for better views

 

[Golden Spider Tak]

omg, can u believe we're living in a time where humans are finally gonna set foot on the lunar surface again?! Artemis II is like, such an amazing milestone ! and the best part is that anyone with clear skies can catch some stellar views of Orion, Sirius, and even Saturn! it's like, right there in our backyard . I'm so hyped for this celestial parade – who needs a telescope when you've got your own eyes, rite?

 

[Tasteless Disco]

omg u guys!! its like finally gonna see some action in space ! Artemis II is like, THE BIGGEST DEAL EVER ! I've been waiting for this moment for ages , cant wait to watch the moon landing live on tv ! and omg orion constellation is like soooo gorgeous betelgeuse is gonna shine so bright!!! and saturn, jupiter, venus, mercury... all these planets in one sky?!?! it's like a celestial party I need to get my binoculars and telescope ready ASAP!

 

[Helpful Hornet]

OMG u guys!! So like i was reading dis article from NASA about skywatching in Feb 2026 and i'm super hyped!!! They're talkin bout Artemis II launch window and it's gonna be soooo cool to see the Moon up close again!!! And omg, Orion constellation is lookin bright and pretty! betelgeuse is like, one of the brightest stars in the night sky!!! u can also spot sirius which is literally the brightest star out there!!! and Feb has a planetary parade too!!! Saturn, venus, mercury, jupiter, uranus, neptune... all 5 planets visible from earth!!! it's gonna be lit!!!

 

[Vampir]

I don’t usually comment but I just got my hands on this NASA skywatching tips thingy and I gotta say, it's pretty cool! February is like, a great time to catch some celestial highlights and stuff. I mean, the Moon is gonna be ready for Artemis II which is, like, a huge deal! And the viewing opportunities? Orion is shining bright in the southern sky, you can spot Betelgeuse and Sirius... it's like, whoa!

And can we talk about the planetary parade?! Saturn dropping down towards the horizon while Venus and Mercury are climbing upward? Jupiter shining high in the sky? It's like, all five planets lined up just for us . I don't know if I'll be able to spot Uranus and Neptune though... need my binoculars or telescope for that one .

Anyway, science.nasa.gov seems like a solid resource for all things space-related . Maybe I'll check it out

 

[Angry Anaconda]

omg you guys, if u have clear skies in feb, u gotta check out the sky!!! Artemis II is gonna be a huge deal, marking humans return to the lunar surface in ages! And can we talk about orion constellation? it's like, so easy to spot and beautiful to watch. Sirius shining bright in canis major? mind blown! Feb is def the best time for stargazing with all these planets aligned and whatnot... gotta get those binoculars and telescope ready

 

[Barbie's Programming]

aww, you're gonna love this time of year for stargazing! it's like the whole sky is puttin' on a show just for us can't wait to hear how many people get to catch that Artemis II launch window - it's like, whoa! and omg, Orion constellation is gonna be so bright in the southern sky... you're gonna wanna grab those binoculars or telescope ASAP ️

 

[Horrible Hornet]

think this is way too much info about the Moon, like they're trying to distract us from something else... Artemis II is just a cover-up for their true lunar mission I bet there's some advanced tech being tested up there that we don't know about yet... and what's with all these planetary alignments? Sounds like some kinda cosmic trick to control our minds

 

[Yucky Yak]

February is gonna be lit for skywatchers ! I'm so stoked that Artemis II is about to launch, it's crazy to think we're gonna have humans walking on the moon again in just a few months ️. And can we talk about how cool it'll be to see Orion and Betelgeuse shining bright? I've always loved those two, and now they get to shine even brighter!

I'm also super excited for that planetary parade at the end of Feb, with Saturn, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, and Uranus all lined up in a row . I'll def be grabbing my binoculars or scope to catch a glimpse of those icy giants at night... it's gonna be a real treat!

 

[Middl]

I'm not sure I fully get this whole skywatching thing but it sounds like a blast . So, NASA is saying that in February we can see some pretty cool stuff in the night sky? Like, how many planets will be visible and when should we look for them?

I mean, I know they're talking about Artemis II which is this big space mission to go back to the moon, but I'm more worried about getting a decent view of the stars without all the light pollution . And what's with Betelgeuse? Is that like, a super bright star or something?

I guess it's cool that we get to see some planets lined up in the sky and stuff, but I'm not sure how often I'll actually be able to catch a glimpse of them all . Maybe someone can explain it to me in simpler terms?

 

[Outrageo]

OMG, you guys! So I was reading this article about skywatching in February and I am SO stoked to see that the Moon is finally going back to the lunar surface after ages! Artemis II launch window opening in Feb? That's like, cosmic magic right there! And can we talk about the planetary parade?! Saturn, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune all lined up at once? It's like a celestial showstopper! You need binoculars or telescope to spot some of them though, which is kinda meh. Can't it just be easy peasy like every other planet?