Astronomy is a fascinating science that’s based on observing. Some sights, such as those wonders located in the deep sky, are static, while others – like the motions of the planets and their moons – are dynamic.
And some are just for the sheer enjoyment of seeing astronomical objects cross paths in the sky. Watching conjunctions between the Moon and a bright planet or star falls into this last category.
February 2026 offers several chances to test your observing skills: two lunar occultations, one true conjunction and one close approach. Let’s work through them in date order.
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The Moon and Regulus
First up is a true conjunction, where from the UK and Europe, the Moon will appear to narrowly miss the bright star Regulus (Alpha (α) Leonis) in the early hours of 3 February.
If you're based in the eastern parts of North America, you'll see a lunar occultation of Regulus instead.
The Moon will be bright at this time, showing a 98%-lit waning gibbous phase, just past full.
From the UK and Europe, take a look at this Moon around 03:30 UT on 3 February and you should be able to spot Regulus immediately north of it.
From the centre of the UK, the apparent separation from the Moon’s centre to Regulus will be 24 arcminutes.
The apparent diameter of the Moon is 32 arminutes, meaning Regulus will appear 8 arcminutes from the Moon’s northern edge.
The Moon and Tau Scorpii
On 11 February, the Moon passes in front of mag. +2.8 Tau (τ) Scorpii.
Moonrise is around 04:00 UT, the occultation taking place just after 06:05 UT, when the bright leading edge of the 33%-lit waning crescent Moon hides the star from view.
Timings will vary slightly with location, so keep watch from around 05:45 UT to make sure you don’t miss anything.
The Moon, Mercury and Venus
A week later, on the evening of 18 February, there’s an attractive alignment of a thin 1%-lit Moon with the inner Solar System planets Mercury and Venus.
There’s no scientific interest here, but given clear weather this should be a rather beautiful sight that will be sure to capture the imagination.
The Moon and Pleiades
Around 01:00 UT on 24 February, the 44%-lit waxing crescent Moon will be approaching the Pleiades open cluster.
However, this is a celestial tease, because both objects will have set before any apparent interaction takes place.
You can’t win them all!
The Moon, Jupiter and Kappa Geminorum
Finally, on the evening of 27 February, a 78%-lit waxing gibbous Moon sits 3.8° north-northwest of mag. –2.3 Jupiter.
This is an amazing sight at any time, but don’t miss the main show: at 21:40 UT, the Moon occults mag. +3.6 Kappa (κ) Geminorum.
The star disappears behind the Moon’s dark limb, reappearing from the bright limb at around 22:30 UT. Again, times will vary slightly with location.
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