February 19-22, 2025: The morning moon passes the Scorpion in the southern sky.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
Scorpius is visible in the southern sky before sunrise. Mirroring its summer evening pose, the Scorpion crawls along the southern horizon during the predawn sky of late February for sky watchers at the mid-northern latitudes.
Scorpion and Moon Highlights
During these four mornings, the moon wanes and appears farther eastward. Here’s what to see one hour before daybreak:
- February 19: The gibbous moon, 62% illuminated, is over 25° above the south-southwest horizon. It is 5.6° to the lower left of Zubenelgenubi, the southern claw.
- February 20: The morning moon, 52% illuminated, is over 20° above the southern horizon, 4.8° to Dschubba’s lower right, the Scorpion’s forehead or crown. The moon is at the morning half-full phase, known as Last Quarter, at 11:32 a.m. Central Time, after the moon sets in the Americas’ eastern regions.
- February 21: The thick morning crescent, 43% illuminated, is nearly 20° up in the south, 2.1° to Antares’ lower left. The moon occults or eclipses the star from southern South America. This is the 21st of 69 monthly occultations that occur until August 2028.
- February 22: The moon, 33% illuminated, is over 15° above the south-southeast horizon. It is 7.6° above Shaula, “the cocked part of the Scorpion’s tail,” and Lesath, “the sting.” Some sky watchers call these two stars “the cat’s eyes,” because they are near each other, though Shaula is distinctly brighter.
On the two mornings after the Last Quarter phase, the moon is bright enough to cast shadows.
Take a look southward for the Scorpion during late February and watch the moon pass its brighter stars.
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