‘Snow moon,’ Jupiter-Moon ‘kiss’: Astronomical events to look out for in February 2024

Celestial events are any observable phenomenon that occurs in the sky. Events like the positions of the stars, the Moon, and the Sun have historically been essential for navigation and timekeeping. (Photo/ Agencies)

Now that January is done, we are in February, which is the shortest month of the year. Here are a few celestial occurrences to look forward to this month, including the "snow moon" and Jupiter and the Moon "kissing" the day after Valentine's Day. (Photo/ Agencies)

The a-Centaurid meteor shower or Alpha Centaurids Meteor Shower is active from January 28 to February 21. The peak activity will be seen around February 8 and can be best witnessed from the Southern Hemisphere. The shower is named after Alpha Centauri, the fourth brightest star in the sky. (Photo/ Lexica.art)

The Moon is scheduled to enter its 'New' phase on this day, a once-a-month event where our lunar neighbour disappears into the inky blackness of the sky. This takes place when the Moon becomes sandwiched perfectly between the Earth and the Sun, making the rock sneak into its own shadow for a few seconds. (Photo/ Agencies)

Mars may be one of the first planets to our Sun, and the banished Pluto may be the last, but that won't stop the Red Planet from meeting its ex-sibling! If you have binoculars or a telescope, you might be able to watch Mars and Pluto rise together on this day. The two bodies will pass within just 1°55′ of each other in the sky. (Photo/ Lexica.art)

On February 15, the Moon will pass very close to Jupiter. This phenomenon is also called an ‘appulse’. On this day, both Moon and Jupiter are bright enough to be seen with the naked eye as their size appears big. In New Delhi, this event can be observed around 18;24 (IST) (Photo/ Lexica.art)

After a slight lull in astronomical treats, February's second half will burst onto the scene with a dazzling prize: Messier 81, a majestic spiral galaxy 12 million light-years away. This "grand design" beauty — named after its prominent spiral arms — is also known as Bode's Galaxy, and will reach its peak visibility around 7:23 PM IST. (Photo/ Agencies)

The full moon in February is called the Snow Moon since there will be snow on the ground, according to Time and Date. Some Native American tribes also call it the Hunger Moon while others call it the Storm Moon. This month’s full moon will be at its full splendour at 4.30 AM IST on February 24. (Photo/Lexica.art)