2025 has been a great year for observing the planets so far, and at the beginning of February there's still a lot to look forward to.
Venus, Mars and Jupiter are well-placed and ripe for observing at the start of the month, and each take their turn for a close encounter with the Moon.
Venus is located near the crescent Moon on 1 February 2025, along with planets Saturn and Neptune.
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On 7 February, Jupiter sits below the Moon, located between it and the beautiful V-shaped Hyades star cluster, with red star Aldebaran.
And on 9 February, Mars sits very close to and just below the Moon.
at 18:57 UT in the evening of 9 February. Credit: Pete Lawrence
But, as the month rolls on and springtime approaches, the planets will begin to lose their favourable positions in the sky.
This isn't helped by the days becoming longer and the nights becoming shorter.
In other words, get out and enjoy the worlds of the Solar System while you can! Let's take a look at The Sky at Night's Pete Lawrence's top tips for seeing the planets in February 2025.
Mercury
- Best time to see: 28 February, from 30 minutes before sunrise
- Altitude: 8° (low)
- Location: Pisces
- Direction: West
Mercury is too close to the Sun in the morning sky to be seen properly at the start of February, reaching superior conjunction on 9 February. After this date it emerges slowly into the evening sky.
On 24 February, Mercury sets 1 hour and 10 minutes after the Sun, shines at mag. –1.1 and appears 5 arcseconds across through the eyepiece, with a phase of 87%. Best seen from 30 minutes after sunset at the end of the month, it is quite low. Mercury and Saturn are 1.5° apart on 25 February.
Venus
- Best time to see: 1 February, 1 hour after sunset
- Altitude: 28° Location: Pisces
- Direction: Southwest
- Features: Phase, subtle atmospheric markings
- Recommended equipment: 75mm scope or larger
On 1 February, Venus is next to the crescent Moon, and the planet sets 4 hours and 24 minutes after the Sun. On 15 February, Venus sets 4 hours after sunset and retains its brightness at mag. –4.5.
By 28 February, Venus begins to move slowly back towards the Sun, the planet setting 3 hours and 15 minutes after sunset but now low as true darkness falls.
Mars
- Best time to see: 1 February, 22:50 UT
- Altitude: 63°
- Location: Gemini
- Direction: South
Mars was at opposition in January 2025 and remains well presented, managing a peak altitude of 63° when due south. On 1 February, shining at mag. –1.1, Mars appears 13 arcseconds across through the eyepiece.
On 9 February, Mars sits 20 arcminutes south of the centre of the 91%-lit waxing Moon at 18:57 UT. On 24 February, Mars appears to reverse direction, reverting from westward to eastward movement. By 28 February, Mars dims to mag. –0.3 and appears 10 arcseconds across.
Jupiter
- Best time to see: 1 February, 20:00 UT
- Altitude: 59°
- Location: Taurus
- Direction: South
Jupiter is among the best planets in February 2025 and is magnificent throughout the month, bright and able to reach an altitude of nearly 60°. Currently located in Taurus, it shines at mag. –2.4 on 1 February, reaching peak altitude around 20:00 UT. A 69%-lit waxing gibbous Moon sits 4.8° north of Jupiter on the morning of 7 February, closest just before both objects set.
By the end of the month, Jupiter’s observing window begins to falter, the planet now appearing just west of south as true darkness falls. Don’t let this put you off though, as it’s still really well presented.
Saturn
- Best time to see: 1 February, 18:00 UT
- Altitude: 17°
- Location: Aquarius
- Direction: Southwest
Saturn’s observing window closes this month, the evening planet becoming too low to be viable. Still visible at the start of February, a mag. +0.8 object shining in the deep twilight.
Uranus
- Best time to see: 1 February, 18:50 UT
- Altitude: 55°
- Location: Aries
- Direction: South
Well-placed mag. +5.7 evening planet in Aries at the start of February, but losing altitude as true darkness falls at the end of the month.
Neptune
- Best time to see: 1 February, 19:00 UT
- Altitude: 17°
- Location: Pisces
- Direction: Southwest
Mag. +7.9 Neptune is 3.3° southwest of Venus on 1 February, but rapidly becomes unviable from there on.
Share your planetary observations and images with us by emailing contactus@skyatnightmagazine.com.
