February 2026 Sunriver Scene - Flipbook - Page 13
February skies: Brilliant stars, planetary highlights
thing but subtle. A chaotic
pile of conifer cones and scales
points to the tree squirrel’s secret gluttony taking place high
541.815.8333 Bend, Oregon
The Orion Nebula
its light refracted by earth’s
atmosphere. Through larger
telescopes, observers may even
glimpse Sirius’s faint companion, a white dwarf, the dense
core of a dead star.
Jupiter also commands attention this month, reaching
its highest point in the sky
between 9 and 10 p.m. This
positioning allows for especially
sharp views of the planet’s cloud
bands, its Galilean moons, and
the iconic great red spot.
On Feb. 18, our program will
feature a particularly exciting
event: Jupiter’s moon Ganymede casting its shadow across
the planet’s surface, the largest
solar eclipse in the solar system.
Adding to the spectacle, this
above, while small holes circling the trunk reveal foraging
for tender truffle fungi below.
If you know what to look for,
the signs form a quiet narrative,
one that tells the story of who
has been there and what they
were doing.
56222 Trailmere Circle
5 Suites + Bunk + Bonus
5,590 SF | $3,750,000
shadow transit occurs near the
great red spot, a storm nearly
three earths wide. This rare
alignment promises an unforgettable view at the observatory.
February closes with another
visual treat on Feb. 28, when
several planets, Venus, Mercury, Saturn and Jupiter – appear
together shortly after sunset.
This early-evening planetary
lineup is best enjoyed from a
clear western horizon and offers a beautiful way to end the
month.
With dark winter skies, brilliant stars and memorable
planetary events, February
offers countless reasons to step
outside, look up, and reconnect
with the night sky.
The Sunriver Nature Center
& Observatory is located at
57245 River Road (off Circle
3, on the way to the airport
and marina).
For information on current
hours, programs, volunteer
opportunities or questions,
visit www.snco.org or call 541593-4394.
#12 Rhododendron Ln
3 bds + 2 ba + Loft
1,982 sf | $914,900
541.408.0819 | Roger@TheGarnerGroup.com
D ON SUN
SE
FO
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2762 NW Crossing Dr. Bend, OR 97703
VER
RI
Roger Morgan, Principal Broker
S
REMODELS & ADDITIONS
AR
Forest
NEW CUSTOM HOMES
SROA EXPERIENCED SUNRIVER REFERENCES
FOC
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By Alex Yeager, Observatory
Assistant Manager
February ushers in a rich
season of winter sky observing, offering both anticipated
celestial sights and a few special
moments worth lingering over.
With a full moon arriving on
Feb. 1, much of the month provides dark, moonless evenings
ideal conditions for stargazing.
Paired with crisp winter air,
February can deliver some of
the clearest and most rewarding
telescope views of the year.
One of the month’s standout features is the constellation Orion, rising high in the
southern sky. Orion is home
to one of the night sky’s most
celebrated objects: the Orion
Nebula, a vast star-forming region. Even through binoculars
or a low-power telescope, its
structure and depth are easy
to see, making it a favorite for
first-time stargazers and seasoned observers alike. Nearby
winter constellations, Taurus,
Gemini and Auriga, complete
the scene with bright stars and
a wealth of observing targets.
Around 9 p.m., look south
to spot Sirius, the brightest
star in the night sky. One of
our closest stellar neighbors,
Sirius shines with a striking
blue-white light and often appears to twinkle dramatically
as it sits low on the horizon,
STEPHEN HANS NUETZEL, ARCHITECT
VER 20 YE
FEBRUARY 2026 SUNRIVER SCENE
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