ISO 2026-W09
Week begins: Monday, February 23, 2026
Calendar
| Date | Zodiac day | Events |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, Feb 23, 2026 | ♓ 6 | Aludra (η CMa) —  2 2.5 — Southern WinterFinest NGC 30 / NGC 2371 · Gemini Nebula; 2372? —  11 11.2 — Northern Winter |
| Tue, Feb 24, 2026 | ♓ 7 | 🌓 First Quarter — 12:27:37 UTC Gomeisa (β CMi) — 3 2.9 — Tropical WinterFinest NGC 31 / NGC 2392 · Clown Face / C39 / NGC 2392 · Clown Face Nebula — 9 8.6 — Tropical Winter |
| Wed, Feb 25, 2026 | ♓ 8 | |
| Thu, Feb 26, 2026 | ♓ 9 | Castor B (α Gem) — 3 2.9 — Northern Winter — in the Milky WayM47 — 5 5.2 — Tropical WinterFinest NGC 37 / NGC 2403 · MCG 11-10-7 / C7 / NGC 2403 — 9 8.8 — Northern WinterC25 / NGC 2419 — 10 10.4 — Northern Winter |
| Fri, Feb 27, 2026 | ♓ 10 | Procyon (α CMi) — 0 0.4 — Tropical Winterα Mon —  4 3.9 — Tropical WinterM46 — 6 6.0 — Tropical WinterFinest NGC 35 / NGC 2440 — 12 11.5 — Tropical Winter |
| Sat, Feb 28, 2026 | ♓ 11 | M93 — 6 6.0 — Southern WinterPollux (β Gem) — 1 1.2 — Northern Winter — in the Milky Way |
| Sun, Mar 1, 2026 | ♓ 12 |
Weekly Solar-System Ephemeris
Snapshot: Week begins February 23, 2026, 00:00 UTC.
(-90° to +90°; defaults +45°, 21:00 LAT)
| Body | ☉︎ | ☽︎ | ☿︎ | ♀︎ | ♂︎ | ♃︎ | ♄︎ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecliptic | ♓︎ 4°22′ β +0°00′ | ♉︎ 14°22′ β +4°48′ | ♓︎ 21°41′ β +2°01′ | ♓︎ 15°44′ β −1°26′ | ♒︎ 24°01′ β −1°05′ | ♋︎ 15°31′ β +0°20′ | ♈︎ 1°01′ β −2°08′ |
| Observing |  | -9.4 | ☉︎ | ☉︎ | ☉︎ | -2.5 | 1.0 |
| Rise | 06:36 | 08:44 | 07:05 | 07:10 | 06:19 | 12:58 | 07:46 |
| Set | 17:24 | 23:49 | 18:58 | 18:19 | 16:25 | 04:26 | 19:39 |
Extended targets:
| Body | ⚳︎ | ♅︎ | ♆︎ | ♇︎ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecliptic | ♈︎ 22°36′ β −6°03′ | ♉︎ 27°37′ β −0°11′ | ♈︎ 0°50′ β −1°18′ | ♒︎ 4°22′ β −3°51′ |
| Observing | 9.1 | 5.7 | 7.8 | 14.6 |
| Rise | 08:52 | 09:51 | 07:41 | 05:42 |
| Set | 21:23 | 00:42 | 19:39 | 14:29 |
β = ecliptic latitude (+ north, − south).
Rise and set are Local Apparent Time for the selected latitude.
Naked-eye observing uses the Sun’s altitude at the selected Monday observer time: Daylight (Sun ≥ −0.833°), Civil twilight (−0.833° to −6°), Nautical twilight (−6° to −12°), Astronomical twilight (−12° to −18°), and Night (below −18°).
Solar Glare identifies a body too close to the Sun when the sky-state rule does not already supersede its naked-eye classification.
The Sun’s observing status uses this same five-state sky classification.
Planet Finder
Sky Notes
Kilroy: Sky Notes · generated 2026-10-12 01:26:37 UTC
ISO 2026-W09 runs from February 23 through March 1. Saturn and Neptune are separated by about 0.2° in geocentric ecliptic longitude at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot.
Naked eye: 🌓 First Quarter — 12:27:37 UTC. Moderate moonlight makes timing and local sky position important for faint targets. Use Aludra, Gomeisa, Castor, Procyon, Pollux as the week’s fixed-sky framework.
Planets: Moon: Naked eye; magnitude -9.4; direct motion; 33.1% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Jupiter in ecliptic longitude Feb 27 07:10 UTC. Conjunction with Uranus in ecliptic longitude Feb 23 22:28 UTC. Mercury: In solar glare; magnitude 0.0; direct motion; 34.5% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Station Feb 26 06:48 UTC: turns retrograde. Conjunction with Venus in ecliptic longitude Feb 28 05:34 UTC. Venus: In solar glare; magnitude -3.9; direct motion; 98.1% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Mercury in ecliptic longitude Feb 28 05:34 UTC. Mars: In solar glare; magnitude 1.1; direct motion; 99.6% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Ceres: Telescope; magnitude 9.1; direct motion; 98.3% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Jupiter: Naked eye; magnitude -2.5; retrograde motion; 99.5% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Feb 27 07:10 UTC. Saturn: Naked eye; magnitude 1.0; direct motion; 99.9% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Uranus: Binoculars; magnitude 5.7; direct motion; 99.9% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Feb 23 22:28 UTC. Neptune: Telescope; magnitude 7.8; direct motion; 100.0% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Pluto: Substantial telescope; magnitude 14.6; direct motion; 100.0% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot.
Binoculars: Trace Monoceros’s charted figure in the finder, then identify α Mon at its charted position.
Small telescope: Gemini Nebula; 2372?: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Clown Face Nebula: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; M47: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; MCG 11-10-7: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; NGC 2419: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; M46: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; NGC 2440: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; M93: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance
Substantial telescope: No fixed-sky Calendar object is classified as requiring a substantial telescope this week.
Other objects listed this week: None
Mercury
Mercury: in solar glare at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Rises 07:05; sets 18:58 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 0.0. The disk is 34.5% illuminated (crescent). It is 17.4° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.532° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Fumalsamakah, 7.5° away. Station Feb 26 06:48 UTC: turns retrograde. Conjunction with Venus in ecliptic longitude Feb 28 05:34 UTC. Mercury: 7.5° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.
Venus
Venus: in solar glare at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Rises 07:10; sets 18:19 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -3.9. The disk is 98.1% illuminated (gibbous). It is 11.4° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 1.249° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Fumalsamakah, 11.0° away. Conjunction with Mercury in ecliptic longitude Feb 28 05:34 UTC. Venus: 11.0° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.
Moon
Moon: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 27.8° above the horizon. Rises 08:44; sets 23:49 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -9.4. The disk is 33.1% illuminated (waxing crescent). It is 70.1° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 14.131° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Hamal, 8.1° away. Conjunction with Jupiter in ecliptic longitude Feb 27 07:10 UTC. Conjunction with Uranus in ecliptic longitude Feb 23 22:28 UTC. Moon: 8.1° from Hamal in the Pathfinder.
Mars
Mars: in solar glare at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Rises 06:19; sets 16:25 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 1.1. The disk is 99.6% illuminated (nearly full). It is 10.4° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.788° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Sadalsuud, 9.7° away. Mars: 9.7° from Sadalsuud in the Pathfinder.
Jupiter
Jupiter: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 67.6° above the horizon. Rises 12:58; sets 04:26 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -2.5. The disk is 99.5% illuminated (nearly full). It is 131.1° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is retrograde at 0.052° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Alhena, 9.3° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Feb 27 07:10 UTC. Jupiter: 9.3° from Alhena in the Pathfinder.
Saturn
Saturn: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 14.9° below the horizon. Rises 07:46; sets 19:39 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 1.0. The disk is 99.9% illuminated (nearly full). It is 26.7° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.116° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Fumalsamakah, 16.4° away. Neptune is 0.8° away at the snapshot. Saturn: 16.4° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.
Uranus
Uranus: binoculars at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 37.5° above the horizon. Rises 09:51; sets 00:42 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 5.7. The disk is 99.9% illuminated (nearly full). It is 83.2° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.017° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Aldebaran, 13.6° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Feb 23 22:28 UTC. Uranus: 13.6° from Aldebaran in the Pathfinder.
Neptune
Neptune: telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 14.7° below the horizon. Rises 07:41; sets 19:39 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 7.8. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 26.5° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.035° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Fumalsamakah, 15.7° away. Saturn is 0.8° away at the snapshot. Neptune: 15.7° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.
Ceres
Ceres: telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 3.5° above the horizon. Rises 08:52; sets 21:23 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 9.1. The disk is 98.3% illuminated (gibbous). It is 48.5° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.352° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Alrescha, 7.7° away. Ceres: 7.7° from Alrescha in the Pathfinder.
Pluto
Pluto: substantial telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 64.2° below the horizon. Rises 05:42; sets 14:29 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 14.6. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 30.2° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.029° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Dabih, 8.4° away. Pluto: 8.4° from Dabih in the Pathfinder.
Highlights
Mercury
In solar glare; magnitude 0.0; direct motion; 34.5% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Station Feb 26 06:48 UTC: turns retrograde. Conjunction with Venus in ecliptic longitude Feb 28 05:34 UTC. Mercury: 7.5° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.
Venus
In solar glare; magnitude -3.9; direct motion; 98.1% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Mercury in ecliptic longitude Feb 28 05:34 UTC. Venus: 11.0° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.
Moon
Naked eye; magnitude -9.4; direct motion; 33.1% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Jupiter in ecliptic longitude Feb 27 07:10 UTC. Conjunction with Uranus in ecliptic longitude Feb 23 22:28 UTC. Moon: 8.1° from Hamal in the Pathfinder.
Mars
In solar glare; magnitude 1.1; direct motion; 99.6% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Mars: 9.7° from Sadalsuud in the Pathfinder.
Jupiter
Naked eye; magnitude -2.5; retrograde motion; 99.5% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Feb 27 07:10 UTC. Jupiter: 9.3° from Alhena in the Pathfinder.
Saturn
Naked eye; magnitude 1.0; direct motion; 99.9% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Saturn: 16.4° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.
Uranus
Binoculars; magnitude 5.7; direct motion; 99.9% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Feb 23 22:28 UTC. Uranus: 13.6° from Aldebaran in the Pathfinder.
Neptune
Telescope; magnitude 7.8; direct motion; 100.0% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Neptune: 15.7° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.
Ceres
Telescope; magnitude 9.1; direct motion; 98.3% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Ceres: 7.7° from Alrescha in the Pathfinder.
Pluto
Substantial telescope; magnitude 14.6; direct motion; 100.0% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Pluto: 8.4° from Dabih in the Pathfinder.