Mercury can be seen the last half of February low in the eastern sky before dawn in the constellation Aquarius (the Water-Bearer.) Mercury reaches its highest point in the eastern sky on the 21st. Mercury looks like a small white star.

Venus can be seen at 30° above the western horizon moving through the constellation Pisces (the Fishes) into Aries (the Ram) by midmonth. Venus appears as the “Evening Star” throughout spring. Venus will appear higher in the sky each night, and can be seen before the stars appear. Venus looks like a very bright white star.

Saturn can be seen low in the eastern sky in the constellation Leo (the Lion) in front of the backward question mark. Saturn can be seen all night as it passes from the eastern sky, into the southern sky, and into the western sky before dawn. Saturn is at its brightest of the year. Saturn and its rings are great to view this month when it gets high in the south. Saturn looks like a bright amber-colored star.

Jupiter can be seen rising in the early morning hours in the southeastern sky in the constellation Ophiuchus (the Serpent-Bearer.) Jupiter is the extremely bright object located 10° east of the bright star Antares (Rival of Mars) in the constellation Scorpius (the Scorpion.) Jupiter reaches about 30° above the eastern horizon before dawn. Jupiter will rise earlier throughout the month. Jupiter looks like a bright, yellow-colored star.

Mars can be seen rising in the southeastern sky shortly before sunrise passing through the constellation Capricornus (the Sea-Goat.) Mars isn’t very bright and isn’t good for viewing. Late in the year, Mars will brighten and be better for viewing through a telescope as it moves closer to Earth. Mars looks like a ruddy-colored star.