Moon and Venus to Shine Bright in Valentine’s Day Sky

The full Snow Moon, which is expected to rise on February 11, will be a treat for skygazers. The moon’s moment of greatest fullness occurs at around 8 a.m. Central Time on February 12. However, due to the moon’s position in the sky, it will appear equally full to the naked eye two nights in a row, on February 11 and 12.

To distinguish between the still-waxing moon on February 11 and the waning one following evening, use binoculars or a small telescope. The lunar terminator, the line separating day and night on the moon, will be visible as the rough edge on the moon’s upper right side after sunset.

The Earth also has a terminator but at a much faster rotation rate than the moon, making it sweep across the globe every 24 hours. Meanwhile, Venus is set to appear near the Snow Moon, causing potential glare issues.

However, if you observe early when the sky is still bluish, and use proper binoculars, you can spot Venus’s crescent shape in a small telescope or 8×42 binoculars. The planet reaches its greatest brightness on February 14, making it an ideal Valentine’s Day gift for your loved one.

Source: https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/lifestyle/astro-bob/astro-bob-two-moons-light-up-the-evening-sky