Star Almanack
Alexander Ferrari Miller

ISO 2027-W08

Week begins: Monday, February 22, 2027

Notation:

Calendar

DateZodiac dayEvents
Mon, Feb 22, 2027♓ 5
Finest NGC 34 / NGC 2359 · Thor's Helmet — Telescope — Tropical Winter
C64 / NGC 2362 · Tau Canis Majoris Cluster — Telescope 4 — Southern Winter
Tue, Feb 23, 2027♓ 6
Aludra (η CMa) — Naked eye 2 — Southern Winter
Finest NGC 30 / NGC 2371 · Gemini Nebula; 2372? — Telescope 11 — Northern Winter
Wed, Feb 24, 2027♓ 7
Gomeisa (β CMi) — Naked eye 3 — Tropical Winter
Finest NGC 31 / NGC 2392 · Clown Face / C39 / NGC 2392 · Clown Face Nebula — Telescope 9 — Tropical Winter
Thu, Feb 25, 2027♓ 8
Fri, Feb 26, 2027♓ 9
Castor B (α Gem) — Naked eye 3 — Northern Winter — in the Milky Way
M47 — Telescope 5 — Tropical Winter
Finest NGC 37 / NGC 2403 · MCG 11-10-7 / C7 / NGC 2403 — Telescope 9 — Northern Winter
Sat, Feb 27, 2027♓ 10
C25 / NGC 2419 — Telescope 10 — Northern Winter
Procyon (α CMi) — Naked eye 0 — Tropical Winter
Sun, Feb 28, 2027♓ 11
🌗 Last Quarter — 05:16:30 UTC
α Mon — Binoculars 4 — Tropical Winter
M46 — Telescope 6 — Tropical Winter
Finest NGC 35 / NGC 2440 — Telescope 12 — Tropical Winter
M93 — Telescope 6 — Southern Winter

Weekly Solar-System Ephemeris

Snapshot: Week begins February 22, 2027, 00:00 UTC.

(-90° to +90°; defaults +45°, 21:00 LAT)

Notation:
Body☉︎☽︎☿︎♀︎♂︎♃︎♄︎
Ecliptic♓︎ 3°08′
β −0°00′		♍︎ 17°03′
β −2°22′		♒︎ 26°08′
β +3°36′		♑︎ 21°24′
β +1°13′		♌︎ 29°50′
β +4°27′		♌︎ 20°36′
β +1°04′		♈︎ 12°18′
β −2°17′
ObservingNightNaked eye -12.5☉︎Naked eye -4.1Naked eye -1.3Naked eye -2.5Naked eye 0.8
Rise06:3818:3306:0404:3616:4516:0408:15
Set17:2207:0416:5313:4707:0306:2220:42

Extended targets:

Body⚳︎♅︎♆︎♇︎
Ecliptic♋︎ 10°13′
β +9°00′		♊︎ 1°46′
β −0°08′		♈︎ 2°57′
β −1°21′		♒︎ 5°58′
β −4°20′
ObservingTelescope 7.7Binoculars 5.7Telescope 7.8TelescopeTelescope 14.6
Rise11:4710:0807:5005:55
Set05:0701:0919:5514:41

β = ecliptic latitude (+ north, − south).
Rise and set are Local Apparent Time for the selected latitude.
Naked-eye observing uses the Sun’s altitude at the selected Monday observer time: Daylight (Sun ≥ −0.833°), Civil twilight (−0.833° to −6°), Nautical twilight (−6° to −12°), Astronomical twilight (−12° to −18°), and Night (below −18°).
Solar Glare identifies a body too close to the Sun when the sky-state rule does not already supersede its naked-eye classification.
The Sun’s observing status uses this same five-state sky classification.

Notation:

Planet Finder

Planet Finder — Greek / Symbols
Greek / Symbols
Planet Finder — English
English
Planet Finder — Mixed Learner
Mixed Learner

Sky Notes

Kilroy: Sky Notes · generated 2026-10-22 07:16:49 UTC

View:

ISO 2027-W08 runs from February 22 through February 28. To find Mars, first identify Leo, trace the Sickle, and locate Regulus in that pattern. Mars lies about 0.0° away in ecliptic longitude at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot; use the finder to transfer from Regulus to the planet.

Naked eye: 🌗 Last Quarter — 05:16:30 UTC. Moderate moonlight makes timing and local sky position important for faint targets. Use Aludra, Gomeisa, Castor, Procyon as the week’s fixed-sky framework.

Aludra: A Bright Beacon in Canis Major — Illuminating the night sky, Aludra remains a striking feature of the constellation.

Gomeisa: A Bright Beacon in the Canis Minor Sky — Exploring the characteristics and significance of this prominent star in the constellation.

Castor: The Prominent Binary Star of Gemini — An enduring celestial landmark, Castor shines brightly in the constellation Gemini, captivating astronomers with its stellar characteristics and historical significance.

Procyon: The Bright Cornerstone of the Winter Sky — Discover the brilliance of Procyon, a principal star of the Winter Hexagon and Triangular asterisms, and a beacon in the constellation Canis Minor.

Planets: Moon: Naked eye; magnitude -12.5; direct motion; 98.5% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Mercury: In solar glare; magnitude 3.7; retrograde motion; 3.5% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Venus: Naked eye; magnitude -4.1; direct motion; 70.7% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Mars: Naked eye; magnitude -1.3; retrograde motion; 99.9% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Ceres: Telescope; magnitude 7.7; retrograde motion; 97.6% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Station Feb 23 23:26 UTC: turns direct. Jupiter: Naked eye; magnitude -2.5; retrograde motion; 100.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Saturn: Naked eye; magnitude 0.8; direct motion; 99.9% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Uranus: Binoculars; magnitude 5.7; direct motion; 99.9% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Neptune: Telescope; magnitude 7.8; direct motion; 100.0% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Pluto: Substantial telescope; magnitude 14.6; direct motion; 100.0% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot.

Binoculars: Trace Monoceros’s charted figure in the finder, then identify α Mon at its charted position.

Alpha Mon: A Bright Beacon in the Monoceros Constellation — An enduring stellar fixture, Alpha Mon invites astronomers to explore its place amidst the stars of Monoceros.

Small telescope: Thor's Helmet: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Tau Canis Majoris Cluster: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Gemini Nebula; 2372?: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Clown Face Nebula: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; M47: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; MCG 11-10-7: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; NGC 2419: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; M46: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; NGC 2440: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; M93: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance

Thor's Helmet: A Stellar Emission Nebula in Canis Major — An exploration of the intriguing emission nebula known as Thor's Helmet, situated in the constellation Canis Major.

Tau Canis Majoris Cluster: A Bright Beacon in the Night Sky — An overview of the prominent open cluster in Canis Major, its characteristics, and significance.

Unveiling the Gemini Nebula: A Celestial Enigma in the Constellation Gemini — An overview of the intriguing planetary nebula candidate, its celestial coordinates, and its significance in stellar evolution studies.

The Clown Face Nebula: A Celestial Enigma in Gemini — An exploration of a striking planetary nebula whose distinctive appearance continues to captivate astronomers.

M47: A Bright Open Cluster in Puppis — Discover the luminous beauty and celestial significance of Messier 47, an accessible star cluster for amateur astronomers alike.

Exploring the Galaxy Candidate in Camelopardalis — A detailed overview of a nearby galaxy, highlighting its characteristics and significance in astronomy.

The Lyns Loop: A Globular Cluster in Perseus — An enduring jewel nestled in the constellation Lyn, offering astronomers a glimpse into the ancient past of our galaxy.

M46: The Open Cluster in Puppis — An enduring cosmic jewel, M46 offers a captivating glimpse into stellar congregation.

Unveiling the Pup’s Celestial Gem: The Planetary Nebula in the Constellation Pup — An exploration of a fascinating celestial object, highlighting its features and significance within the constellation Pup.

M93: A Sparkling Open Cluster in Puppis — An enduring celestial gem, M93 captivates stargazers with its youthful brilliance and stellar companions.

Substantial telescope: No fixed-sky Calendar object is classified as requiring a substantial telescope this week.

Other objects listed this week: None

Mercury

Mercury: in solar glare at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Rises 06:04; sets 16:53 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 3.7. The disk is 3.5% illuminated (crescent). It is 7.9° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is retrograde at 1.040° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Sadalsuud, 5.5° away. Mercury: 5.5° from Sadalsuud in the Pathfinder.

Venus

Venus: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 65.5° below the horizon. Rises 04:36; sets 13:47 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -4.1. The disk is 70.7% illuminated (gibbous). It is 41.7° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 1.178° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Nunki, 9.8° away. Venus: 9.8° from Nunki in the Pathfinder.

Moon

Moon: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 24.9° above the horizon. Rises 18:33; sets 07:04 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -12.5. The disk is 98.5% illuminated (waning gibbous). It is 165.9° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 14.447° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Zavijava, 10.9° away. Moon: 10.9° from Zavijava in the Pathfinder.

Mars

Mars: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 43.3° above the horizon. Rises 16:45; sets 07:03 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -1.3. The disk is 99.9% illuminated (nearly full). It is 174.5° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is retrograde at 0.396° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Regulus, 4.0° away. Mars: 4.0° from Regulus in the Pathfinder.

Jupiter

Jupiter: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 49.5° above the horizon. Rises 16:04; sets 06:22 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -2.5. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 167.4° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is retrograde at 0.127° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Acubens, 9.0° away. Jupiter: 9.0° from Acubens in the Pathfinder.

Saturn

Saturn: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 3.7° below the horizon. Rises 08:15; sets 20:42 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 0.8. The disk is 99.9% illuminated (nearly full). It is 39.2° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.107° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Alrescha, 18.6° away. Saturn: 18.6° from Alrescha in the Pathfinder.

Uranus

Uranus: binoculars at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 41.9° above the horizon. Rises 10:08; sets 01:09 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 5.7. The disk is 99.9% illuminated (nearly full). It is 88.6° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.012° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Aldebaran, 9.9° away. Uranus: 9.9° from Aldebaran in the Pathfinder.

Neptune

Neptune: telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 12.0° below the horizon. Rises 07:50; sets 19:55 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 7.8. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 29.9° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.034° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Fumalsamakah, 17.4° away. Neptune: 17.4° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.

Ceres

Ceres: telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 75.6° above the horizon. Rises 11:47; sets 05:07 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 7.7. The disk is 97.6% illuminated (gibbous). It is 126.6° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is retrograde at 0.014° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Castor, 10.3° away. Station Feb 23 23:26 UTC: turns direct. Ceres: 10.3° from Castor in the Pathfinder.

Pluto

Pluto: substantial telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 63.0° below the horizon. Rises 05:55; sets 14:41 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 14.6. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 27.5° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.029° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Dabih, 9.0° away. Pluto: 9.0° from Dabih in the Pathfinder.