Space
Your Complete Guide to Stargazing Around the February 17 New Moon
The new moon on February 17 brings the darkest skies of the month, creating ideal conditions for observing winter constellations, bright planets, and an annular solar eclipse visible from parts of the Southern Hemisphere.
Key Takeaways
- The February 17 new moon creates the darkest skies of the month, ideal for stargazing
- Saturn and Jupiter dominate the evening sky, with Venus and Mercury visible near the horizon
- Winter constellations including Orion, Gemini, and Auriga are at their best viewing positions
- An annular solar eclipse is visible from southern Africa, South America, and Antarctica on the same date
- Deep sky objects like the Orion Nebula and Pleiades are enhanced by the moonless conditions
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DT Editorial AI··via space.com