Prepare to enjoy a planetary parade in Limerick this February

AS the stretch in the evenings becomes truly noticeable this February, the night sky over Limerick offers a spectacular curtain-raiser for a historic year in space.
The month belongs to the "Great Hunter," Orion. Dominating our southeastern sky after dusk, Orion is easily identified by the three bright stars of his belt. If you follow that belt down to the left, you’ll find Sirius—the brightest star in the entire sky, shimmering with a diamond-like blue intensity.
February is also a month of great astronomical anniversaries. February 15 marks the birthday of the 'Father of Observational Astronomy,' Galileo Galilei. It was Galileo who first turned a telescope toward the heavens, discovering the craters of the moon and the four largest moons of Jupiter.

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Closer to home, we celebrate the birth of Irish astronomer Agnes Mary Clerke (February 10). Born in County Cork, she became one of the most respected astronomical writers of the 19th century, proving that Ireland has always punched above its weight when exploring the stars.
Looking toward the future, the buzz this month is all about Artemis II. Scheduled for launch around this time, it will be the first crewed mission to fly around the Moon in over 50 years. While these pioneers journey 400,000 kilometres away, we can enjoy a planetary parade right here in Limerick.
Toward the end of the month, around February 28, look west after sunset to see Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, and Mercury lining up in a rare celestial dance.
Whether you are a seasoned observer or just curious about the bright lights in the sky, we invite you to join us.
The Limerick Astronomy Club meets monthly in Mary Immaculate College, Room 202. We'd love to welcome you and embark on this cosmic journey together. Reach out to us at limerickastronomyclub@gmail.com for more info.