Observing astronomical phenomena is a lot of fun. Moreover, if it can be witnessed without tools. If you are astronomy fans, you definitely don't want to miss the celestial phenomena of February 2023.
As usual, every month there is always an interesting celestial phenomenon to watch, whether it's a meteor shower, full moon, or a conjunction of planets. Here are the February astronomical phenomena that you shouldn't miss, quoted from the Southern Sky astronomy site.
5 Astronomical Phenomena February 2023
1. Ice Age Rare Comet - February 1, 2023
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) passed close to Earth on February 1, 2023. This rare comet that appeared during the Ice Age was visible from Indonesia.
This comet can be seen with the naked eye in mid to late January 2023 and will reach its peak on February 1, 2023. Unfortunately, when the event occurred, many could not observe it because most of Indonesia was overcast and it even rained.
The comet, which orbits the Sun every 50 thousand years, passes near Earth on February 2 at 00.32 WIB/01.32 WITA/02.32 WIT at a distance of 42,472,000 km from Earth.
2. Full Moon - February 6, 2023
The moon will be above the horizon from sunset until dawn. This is a good opportunity to observe the Moon and its craters. After the full moon phase, the moon will slowly shift its rising time to the night.
The Moon is at its furthest distance from Earth so that the Moon looks seven times smaller and 15% dimmer than the average size and brightness of the Moon.
3. Alpha Centaurid Meteor Shower - February 8, 2023
The Alpha Centaurid meteor shower is a minor meteor shower that appears to come from the constellation Centaurus. This meteor shower begins to appear at 21:46 WIB and can be found in the southeast not far from the beta star Centauri.
Alpha Centaurid lasts from January 28 to February 21 and meteor activity will peak on February 8. At maximum intensity, observers can find at least 8 to 25 meteors per hour traveling at 56 km/s. At its maximum, the New Moon is two days past the full moon phase and is still very bright in the night sky.
4. Moon 'Paired' with Venus - February 22, 2023
The moon appears to be 2.08º south of Venus after sunset. Both can be observed in the constellation Pisces until eight in the evening when Venus sets at 19:51 WIB followed by the Moon at 20:02 WIB.
5. Conjunction of the Moon, Venus, Jupiter - February 23, 2023
The day after the Moon and Venus pair up, Jupiter takes part in forming a conjunction of lines in the evening sky. All three can be observed in the constellation Pisces with Venus appearing closest to the horizon followed by Jupiter and the highest being the Moon.
All three can be observed until Venus sets at 19:51 WIB, followed by Jupiter at 20:15 WIB, and finally the Moon at 20:47 WIB.