It may not feel or look like it, but winter is coming to a close. Look up at night for the movement of the winter constellations: Orion, Taurus and Gemini. They've all been marching westward.
Next Tuesday night, take a look in the night sky. The waxing crescent moon will appear in the zodiacal constellation Taurus. If you've got binoculars you are in for a treat. The moon is right next to the Pleiades, the winter favorite star cluster.
Remember back in the late fall when the Pleiades rose in the east soon after sunset. Well now, the star cluster is high in our sky and moving westward. Use the moon to guide you to this important stellar wonder. The small star cluster ranks high among our favorites.
As evening moves along the constellations of spring rise in the east. Look for the Big Dipper rising in the northeast.
| Day | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|
| Fri., Feb. 20 | 6:30 | 5:20 |
| Sat., Feb. 21 | 6:29 | 5:22 |
| Sun., Feb. 22 | 6:27 | 5:23 |
| Mon., Feb. 23 | 6:26 | 5:24 |
| Tues., Feb. 24 | 6:24 | 5:25 |
| Wed., Feb. 25 | 6:23 | 5:26 |
| Thurs., Feb. 26 | 6:21 | 5:28 |
| Fri., Feb. 27 | 6:20 | 5:29 |
| Day | Max (Fº) | Min (Fº) | Inches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 13 | 37 | 16 | 0.00 |
| Feb. 14 | 39 | 16 | 0.00 |
| Feb. 15 | 40 | 27 | 0.00 |
| Feb. 16 | 40 | 27 | 0.00 |
| Feb. 17 | 41 | 24 | 0.00 |
| Feb. 18 | 40 | 32 | 0.00 |
| Feb. 19 | 39 | 32 | 0.27 |
This article appears in February 20, 2026.