Stargazing Summary
Three bright planets congregate in the southeastern quadrant of the sky at dawn this month. Jupiter is the brightest and highest of the three, shining brilliantly from near the center of Libra, high in the south at first light. At the same time, Saturn is low in the southeast, just above the teapot formed by the brightest stars of Sagittarius. Mars slides between them. It begins the month closer to Jupiter (and close to its "rival," Antares), but ends the month closer to Saturn.
More stargazing information »
More stargazing information »
Radio Program Highlights
If you want to start hearing the StarDate program in your area, you can request a station to carry our program by emailing the request to stations@stardate.org.
February 1-4: Groundhog Day. The celebration of Groundhog Day may trace its roots back thousands of years, and we'll talk about one of its possible forebears. Join us for this, plus the year's best showing of a little giant and much more.
February 5-11: Moon meanderings. The Moon passes a whole lineup of bright objects in the early morning sky this week — three planets and a star. We'll tell you all about those close encounters, and explain why two of the Moon's companions are rivals.
February 12-18: Shooting gallery. Our planet Earth is like a target in a shooting gallery. In fact, we got hit by a cosmic bullet five years ago this week, and we'll have details. We'll also talk about the winter Milky Way and much more.
February 19-25: The big dog. Canis Major, the big dog, scurries low across the south on winter evenings, and we'll have details. We'll also talk about two of the dog's impressive stars, including one that pulses like a beating heart. Join us for the big dog and more.
February 26-28: Planetary protection. As far as we know, Earth isn't threatened by fleets of alien spacecraft. But it could be threatened by something less obvious: microbes from other worlds. Join us for efforts to protect Earth and other worlds from each other.
Program schedule »
Hear StarDate every day on about 400 radio stations in the United States. Find an affiliate »
February 1-4: Groundhog Day. The celebration of Groundhog Day may trace its roots back thousands of years, and we'll talk about one of its possible forebears. Join us for this, plus the year's best showing of a little giant and much more.
February 5-11: Moon meanderings. The Moon passes a whole lineup of bright objects in the early morning sky this week — three planets and a star. We'll tell you all about those close encounters, and explain why two of the Moon's companions are rivals.
February 12-18: Shooting gallery. Our planet Earth is like a target in a shooting gallery. In fact, we got hit by a cosmic bullet five years ago this week, and we'll have details. We'll also talk about the winter Milky Way and much more.
February 19-25: The big dog. Canis Major, the big dog, scurries low across the south on winter evenings, and we'll have details. We'll also talk about two of the dog's impressive stars, including one that pulses like a beating heart. Join us for the big dog and more.
February 26-28: Planetary protection. As far as we know, Earth isn't threatened by fleets of alien spacecraft. But it could be threatened by something less obvious: microbes from other worlds. Join us for efforts to protect Earth and other worlds from each other.
Program schedule »
Hear StarDate every day on about 400 radio stations in the United States. Find an affiliate »
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Visit https://stardate.org/sponsor to support the longest-running science feature on radio via a tax-deductible sponsorship donation.
Coming Up in StarDate Magazine
In our March/April issue, we'll introduce you to several groups of researchers preparing for future trips to Mars in simulated Mars environments on Earth. And we'll tell you about the life of Benjamin Banneker, a pioneering African-American astronomer of the Revolutionary era.
Subscribe today
Subscribe today
Caitlin Casey Receives 2018 Pierce Prize
Dr. Caitlin Casey of The University of Texas at Austin was awarded the Newton Lacy Pierce Prize by the American Astronomical Society at its semi-annual meeting in Washington, D.C. in January. The organization awards the prize each year for "outstanding early-career achievement in observational astronomical research based on measurements of radiation from an astronomical object."
Read more »
Read more »
About SkyTips
SkyTips is a monthly email newsletter for visitors to McDonald Observatory and StarDate Online. Each issue features stargazing highlights, upcoming StarDate radio program descriptions, and other news. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to your friends and family.
SkyTips is a publication of the University of Texas McDonald Observatory Education and Outreach Office, 2515 Speedway C1402, Austin, TX 78712. Reproduction of SkyTips content is permitted with proper credit given to McDonald Observatory.
SkyTips is a publication of the University of Texas McDonald Observatory Education and Outreach Office, 2515 Speedway C1402, Austin, TX 78712. Reproduction of SkyTips content is permitted with proper credit given to McDonald Observatory.
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