Hello ...
Here's your Cosmic Pursuits newsletter for February 2026!
1. The zodiacal light returns to the evening sky for northern-hemisphere observers. Mercury grazes the Moon at mid month, while Jupiter continues in a prime observing position. Here's what to see in the Night Sky This Month...
2. In January, astronomers discovered a potentially spectacular comet on its way to the inner solar system. Comet
C/2026 A1 (MAPS) appears to have the orbital path of a 'sungrazer' and will pass very close to the sun around April 4, 2026 when it may grow spectacularly bright. Fingers crossed!
3. In this video, Ed Ting explains which refractor he would keep if he could keep just one...
4. I was fortunate enough to have the cover article in the November 2025 issue of Sky & Telescope
magazine. The piece, on observing the various stages of stellar evolution, remains timely as most of the targets linger in the February sky. So grab your telescope and let's head outside to witness the stages of a star's life from birth to death.
5. Finally, Neil deGrasse Tyson explains how astronomers may have finally discovered evidence for the elusive first stars that formed in the universe.
And the quote of the month:
“To the intelligent man or woman, life appears infinitely mysterious. But the stupid have an answer for every question.”
- Edward Abbey
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Wishing you clear skies!
Brian Ventrudo
Publisher
CosmicPursuits.com
