40th Fife Scout Troop Astronomer Badge

THE SKY IN FEBRUARY AT 9PM (ignore the moon, c'os its moved on!!)

The Planets

Venus is now the first bright "star" to be seen, you can't miss it its the brightest thing in the sky at dusk! It shows phases just the same as the moon if you can get a good look at it through binos or a Telescope.

Jupiter is the next "star" to be seen, above Venus, the more observant among you will notice they are getting nearer each other. See "things to look for"

Saturn is visible most of the night and is the next bright "star" in the row up from Venus.

The Stars

Leo the Lion is now getting higher in the sky its quite a good shape for a lion, one of the more obvious patterns.

Cancer the Crab is a very faint Constellation, it is to be found to the East of the lions head, see if you can find it!!

Other Interesting things to look for

Just to complete the picture, by the end of the month Mercury will also be seen above the horizon for about an hour after the sun sets. Make sure the sun has gone down before you start hunting with binos or you might fry your eyeballs by mistake!!

And just to make it more interesting, if you are lucky enough to have a clear view, there will be a conjunction between Jupiter and Venus on the 23rd of Feb.

Badgework

Conjunction !! What's one of them anyway then???

Where would you find the Zenith and what is its opposite??

What is the name of the invisible line that joins our three (four) visible planets??

Diary remember to keep your diary up to date. All it needs is a good Half Hour outside but don't let it interfere with your school work. I don't want blamed for you falling asleep in class.

***Clear Skies***

***Lorna***