As for the planets, all the action is still in the morning sky although Jupiter is now rising at about 10.20pm and is the only planet visible in the evening. It passes due north about 4.12am.
After midnight, the morning planets rise. First Mars at 12.39am, followed by Saturn at 2.28am, then Venus at 4.07am and Mercury at about 4.41am.
This also means that we will be in for a succession of lunar conjunctions, starting with Mars on February 2 making a triangle with the moon and Alpha Librea. Next, on February 4, the moon rolls by Saturn and then forms a stunning triangle just before the breaking dawn with Venus and Mercury on February 7.
Venus and Mercury also form a conjunction on February 14, and the moon and Jupiter on February 24. These conjunctions are great photo opportunities.
Mercury is also at its greatest angle from the sun on February 3, the best time to view it.
- By Brian Hurren