USPS Star Calendar for 12-18 February

12 Feb    In the southwest before dawn, Spica is 1 finger-width above the moon, and Saturn is 4 finger-widths to the moon’s upper left. A little more than two-thirds of the moon’s surface is illuminated.

14 Feb    The last-quarter moon rises well after midnight.

15 Feb    Low in the south before dawn, the waning crescent moon is 2 finger-widths above reddish Antares, the heart of the Scorpion, Scorpius.

16 Feb    Low in the southeast before dawn, the moon is between Antares, 1 fist-width to the right, and Sagittarius, far to the lower left. About one-third of the moon’s surface is illuminated.

18 Feb    The distance between Venus and Jupiter has shrunk to little more than 2 fist-widths.