NASA's recommendations for skywatching in February feature a planetary lineup and a lunar mission.

      Do look up!

      What's New: February 2026 Skywatching Suggestions from NASA

      NASA has published its monthly skywatching guidance, highlighting what celestial events to expect in the upcoming weeks, and you can probably guess which one is the most significant.

      That's right: the Artemis II mission. NASA is set to launch a crew on a journey around the moon, marking the first human lunar mission in over 50 years.

      The space agency is currently aiming for a launch date of February 8 for the 10-day mission, which will take three Americans and one Canadian on a flyby of our closest neighbor.

      “This mission will pave the way for Artemis III, marking the first time we’ve sent humans to the lunar surface since the last Apollo mission, Apollo 17, in 1972,” NASA states in the video (above). “So this month, look up at the moon shining brightly in the night sky; there might be someone looking back at you.”

      Of course, there's a possibility that technical difficulties or adverse weather could affect the schedule and possibly delay the launch to next month, so be sure to check Digital Trends for the latest news.

      This month also presents an excellent opportunity to observe the Orion constellation, named after the hunter from Greek mythology.

      Throughout the night, direct your gaze toward the southern sky and attempt to find the hunter. Here’s a tip: The hunter's right shoulder is Betelgeuse (or Alpha Orionis), one of the brightest stars visible at night.

      If you have difficulties locating Betelgeuse or Orion, consider using one of the many available astronomy apps for both iOS and Android, with the best ones letting you point your camera at the sky to identify different stars and planets.

      Lastly, a planetary parade will also take place in February. This features Saturn descending toward the horizon while Venus and Mercury rise in the sky, with all three appearing to converge in the western to southwestern sky.

      “Even Uranus, located in the southern sky, and Neptune, near Saturn, will join the parade, although you'll need binoculars or a telescope to view these distant planets,” NASA explains.

      With clear skies, you will be able to see the planets after sunset throughout the month, and towards the end of the month, they will align.

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