China News Agency, Nanjing, February 1 (Reporter Yang Yanci) According to the news from the Purple Mountain Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences on February 1, as the days continue to extend in the northern hemisphere, the temperature begins to rise, the starry sky in February becomes more crystal clear, and the Milky Way ushers in the viewing season.

At the end of the new year, the once-in-50,000-year comet reaches its maximum brightness, and the "smallest full moon" in 2023 will report for duty on the Lantern Festival.

  According to experts, the first half of February is the winter starry sky, and after that, Leo, the signpost of the spring starry sky, will arrive as scheduled.

At dawn, the "palette" of Scorpio will appear on the southeastern horizon, and the center of the Milky Way will rise accordingly.

This is an excellent time to photograph the most beautiful posture of the Milky Way every year. It is possible to take a wonderful picture of the Milky Way in winter and the Milky Way in spring.

  Comet C/2022 E3, the much-watched "extraterrestrial visitor", passed perigee on February 1 and reached its maximum brightness.

It is worth noting that from February 9th, comets will appear in the observation window.

On the evening of the 11th, the comet will "closely approach" Mars, and the visual effect of the comet "hitting" Mars will appear.

  The most anticipated thing this month is the debut of the "smallest full moon" in 2023.

Over the course of the year, the largest and smallest full moons differ by about 14% in apparent diameter and vary in brightness.

This year, the "largest full moon" will appear at the end of August, and the "smallest full moon" will "report" during the Lantern Festival.

  According to astronomical calculations, the Lantern Festival in the Year of the Rabbit is "15 moons and 16 rounds", and the roundest moment occurs at 2:29 on February 6.

Generally speaking, one or two days before and after the full moon, there is not much difference in viewing with the naked eye.

For the public, it is advisable to enjoy a round of bright and special "mini" moon when reuniting with family members on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

  In addition to the C-position moon, the stars are also dazzling and wonderful.

On the 15th, Venus and Neptune will have a "close encounter", which is another close encounter after the two were extremely close in April 2022.

  On the evening of the 22nd, there will also be a "Myth of the Stars and the Moon" in the starry sky.

At that time, the distance between Venus and the moon will be about 2°, and Jupiter will be swaying at a distance of 8° from them. The three bright celestial bodies will perform "starry whispers" together in the night sky.

(Finish)