February sky guide: Early morning lovers can catch Venus in a planetary line-up on Valentine’s Day – Science

If you love the serenity of the early mornings in summer, then you are in for a treat this Valentine’s Day.

Venus — named after the Roman goddess of love — joins Jupiter and Saturn in a line above the eastern horizon with Mercury to the side about half an hour before dawn.

“You’ll have this beautiful line of planets,” amateur astronomer Ian Musgrave said.

“Venus will be about a handspan above the horizon, Jupiter will be above that, Mercury a bit off to the left, and Saturn will be above them all.”

You’ll need to get your timing right — too early and Venus will be too low to see, too late and the Sun (which you should never directly look at with unprotected eyes or equipment) will wash out the sky.