41.

Lunar occultation of Saturn The Moon will pass in front of Saturn, creating a lunar occultation visible from Africa, Asia, Australia, Christmas Island, Spratly Islands, RAF Akrotiri and Paracel Islands. Mon, 04 Feb 1980 at 15:28 EDT (16,152 days ago) in Virgo

42.

The Moon at apogee The Moon recedes to its orbit's furthest point from the Earth, making it appear fractionally smaller than at other times of the month. Mon, 04 Feb 1980 at 20:54 EDT (16,152 days ago) in Virgo

43.

α-Centaurid meteor shower 1980 The α-Centaurid meteor shower reaches its peak. Fri, 08 Feb 1980 (16,148 days ago) in Centaurus

44.

Moon at Last Quarter The Moon reaches last quarter phase – rising in the east at around midnight and appearing high in the sky by sunrise. Sat, 09 Feb 1980 at 02:35 EDT (16,147 days ago) in Libra

45.

136472 Makemake at opposition 136472 Makemake lies in the opposite direction to the Sun in the sky, making it optimally positioned to be observable for much of the night. Wed, 13 Feb 1980 at 04:29 EDT (16,143 days ago) in Leo Minor

46.

The Moon at perihelion The Moon passes its orbit's closest point to the Sun, which happens each month around the time of new moon. Thu, 14 Feb 1980 at 12:31 EDT (16,142 days ago) in Capricornus

47.

New Moon The Moon disappears into the Sun's glare for a few days. Sat, 16 Feb 1980 at 03:52 EDT (16,140 days ago) in Capricornus

48.

Total solar eclipse There will be an eclipse of the Sun, visible from Asia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, northern Angola, Tanzania and southern Kenya. Sat, 16 Feb 1980 at 03:53 EDT (16,140 days ago) in Capricornus

49.

The Moon at perigee The Moon makes its monthly closest approach to the Earth, making it appear fractionally larger than at other times of the month. Sun, 17 Feb 1980 at 03:45 EDT (16,139 days ago) in Aquarius

50.

Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury The Moon and Mercury share the same right ascension, at a separation of 2°18'. Sun, 17 Feb 1980 at 08:53 EDT (16,139 days ago) in Aquarius

51.

Conjunction of the Moon and Venus The Moon and Venus share the same right ascension, at a separation of 3°40'. Mon, 18 Feb 1980 at 23:55 EDT (16,137 days ago) in Pisces

52.

Close approach of the Moon and Venus The Moon and Venus pass close to each other. Tue, 19 Feb 1980 at 01:57 EDT (16,137 days ago) in Pisces

53.

Mercury at perihelion Mercury passes its orbit's closest point to the Sun. Tue, 19 Feb 1980 at 02:14 EDT (16,137 days ago) in Aquarius

54.

Mercury at greatest elongation east Mercury is bright and well placed in the evening sky. Tue, 19 Feb 1980 at 04:31 EDT (16,137 days ago) in Aquarius

55.

Mercury at dichotomy Mercury reaches half phase in the evening sky. Tue, 19 Feb 1980 at 06:50 EDT (16,137 days ago) in Aquarius

56.

Mercury at highest altitude in evening sky Mercury is bright and well placed in the evening sky. Wed, 20 Feb 1980 (16,136 days ago) in Aquarius

57.

Moon at First Quarter The Moon reaches first quarter phase – appearing high in the sky at sunset and setting in the west at around midnight. Fri, 22 Feb 1980 at 19:14 EDT (16,134 days ago) in Taurus

58.

Close approach of the Moon and Collinder 50 The Moon and Collinder 50 pass close to each other. Sat, 23 Feb 1980 at 01:57 EDT (16,133 days ago) in Taurus

59.

Lunar occultation of Aldebaran The Moon will pass in front of Aldebaran (Alpha Tauri), creating a lunar occultation visible from countries and territories including China, Mongolia, Russia and Japan amongst others. Sat, 23 Feb 1980 at 05:54 EDT (16,133 days ago) in Taurus

60.

Jupiter at perigee Jupiter reaches its closest point to the Earth – marking the best time to observe it in 1970. Sun, 24 Feb 1980 at 12:18 EDT (16,132 days ago) in Leo