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February Sky: Planet Alignment, Snow Moon, Blood Moon!

2/1/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Six planets will align in the night sky in February.
The best viewing will occur on February 28.
On February 1, observers can see the full Snow Moon peaking at 5:09 p.m. ET.
A total lunar eclipse will be visible on March 3 across Asia, Australia, and the Americas, turning the Moon red and often referred to as a "blood moon".

History

Historical Context

In 1982, a rare planetary alignment featuring five visible planets captivated astronomers and the public, with NASA noting such events occur roughly every 20 years. The upcoming February 2023 alignment of six planets echoes this historical phenomenon, underscoring humanity's fascination with celestial events and their role in inspiring scientific inquiry and cultural reflection throughout history.

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Story summary

Six planets will align in the night sky in February.
The best viewing will occur on February 28.
On February 1, observers can see the full Snow Moon peaking at 5:09 p.m. ET.
A total lunar eclipse will be visible on March 3 across Asia, Australia, and the Americas, turning the Moon red and often referred to as a "blood moon".

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