261.

Mercury at aphelion Mercury passes the furthest point along its orbit from the Sun. Wed, 15 Feb 2023 at 15:00 EDT (445 days ago) in Capricornus

262.

Saturn at solar conjunction Saturn is unobservable as it passes around the far side of the Sun – marking the end of one apparition and the beginning of the next. Thu, 16 Feb 2023 at 11:38 EDT (444 days ago) in Aquarius

263.

Lunar occultation of Sigma Sagittarii The Moon will pass in front of Sigma Sagittarii (Nunki) creating a lunar occultation, though it will open be visible only at sea. Thu, 16 Feb 2023 at 20:47 EDT (444 days ago) in Sagittarius

264.

Comet C/2022 A2 (PANSTARRS) passes perihelion Comet C/2022 A2 (PANSTARRS) makes its closest approach to the Sun. Sat, 18 Feb 2023 (442 days ago) in Cygnus

265.

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. Sat, 18 Feb 2023 at 13:53 EDT (442 days ago) in Capricornus

266.

Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury The Moon and Mercury share the same right ascension, at a separation of 3°35'. Sat, 18 Feb 2023 at 15:52 EDT (442 days ago) in Capricornus

267.

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, 19 Feb 2023 at 04:05 EDT (441 days ago) in Capricornus

268.

Messier 81 is well placed Bode's Galaxy M81 (NGC 3031; mag 6.9) in Ursa Major culminates at around midnight local time. Sun, 19 Feb 2023 (441 days ago) in Ursa Major

269.

New Moon The Moon disappears into the Sun's glare for a few days. Mon, 20 Feb 2023 at 02:06 EDT (440 days ago) in Aquarius

270.

The cluster NGC 3114 is well placed The open star cluster NGC 3114 (mag 4.2) in Carina culminates at around midnight local time. Tue, 21 Feb 2023 (439 days ago) in Carina

271.

Conjunction of the Moon and Venus The Moon and Venus share the same right ascension, at a separation of 2°05'. Wed, 22 Feb 2023 at 02:55 EDT (438 days ago) in Pisces

272.

Close approach of the Moon and Venus The Moon and Venus pass close to each other. Wed, 22 Feb 2023 at 04:41 EDT (438 days ago) in Pisces

273.

Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter The Moon and Jupiter share the same right ascension, at a separation of 1°11'. Wed, 22 Feb 2023 at 17:00 EDT (438 days ago) in Pisces

274.

Close approach of the Moon and Jupiter The Moon and Jupiter pass close to each other. Wed, 22 Feb 2023 at 17:57 EDT (438 days ago) in Pisces

275.

Lunar occultation of Jupiter The Moon will pass in front of Jupiter, creating a lunar occultation visible from countries and territories including Antarctica, Argentina, Chile and Uruguay amongst others. Wed, 22 Feb 2023 at 17:57 EDT (438 days ago) in Pisces

276.

Close approach of the Moon and Uranus The Moon and Uranus pass close to each other. Sat, 25 Feb 2023 at 07:13 EDT (435 days ago) in Aries

277.

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. Mon, 27 Feb 2023 at 03:06 EDT (433 days ago) in Taurus

278.

The cluster IC 2581 is well placed The open star cluster IC 2581 (mag 4.0) in Carina culminates at around midnight local time. Mon, 27 Feb 2023 (433 days ago) in Carina

279.

Close approach of the Moon and Mars The Moon and Mars pass close to each other. Mon, 27 Feb 2023 at 23:11 EDT (432 days ago) in Taurus

280.

Lunar occultation of Mars The Moon will pass in front of Mars, creating a lunar occultation visible from countries and territories including Greenland, Russia, Svalbard and Iceland amongst others. Mon, 27 Feb 2023 at 23:11 EDT (432 days ago) in Taurus