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Page 3
Orion, and the stars Sirius and Procyon, still dominate the February southern sky. As the month progresses, you will be able to begin viewing spring objects. Look for the constellation Cancer, the Crab, as it rises below Gemini. Cancer contains M44, an open star cluster known as the Praesepe, or Beehive Cluster. If you look at M44 through binoculars, it resembles a swarm of bees. The constellation Leo (the Lion) rises by the middle of the month. Leo is easy to find this year because Jupiter is located in it. The bright stars Regulus and Denebola are in Leo. Find the "tail" of Leo, which looks exactly like a backwards question mark. Between ten and eleven o'clock, mid February, the bright star Arcturus will be rising. Arcturus is located in the constellation Bootes, which is supposed to be a herdsman. Actually, Bootes looks more like a kite. Arcturus is a bright red star, and is a nice sight in binoculars.
February 2004 is a leap year, giving us one extra night to stargaze, so gather up your equipment and get outside. Don't forget to dress warmly, and use common sense on cold nights. Watch the skies!
The copyright of the article Stargazing for Beginners - February - Page 3 in Stargazing is owned by Barbara Muscolo. Permission to republish Stargazing for Beginners - February - Page 3 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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