February 2025 Sky Watch
Maunakea Astronomy News
First Fast Radio Burst Traced to Old, Dead, Elliptical Galaxy
In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have traced a fast radio burst (FRB) to the outskirts of an ancient, quiescent elliptical galaxy. This finding challenges the prevailing notion that FRBs originate exclusively from regions of active star formation. The FRB — designated FRB 20240209A — was detected in February 2024 by the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME) and subsequently observed using the W. M. Keck Observatory's Low Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (LRIS) on Maunakea.
The host galaxy's spectral analysis revealed a lack of young stars, indicating that star formation had ceased long ago. This suggests that FRBs can also emerge from older stellar environments, broadening our understanding of their origins. The detailed findings are published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.
For more information, visit: keckobservatory.org.
Special Events
Conjunction of Venus and Neptune
On February 3, Venus and Neptune will share the same right ascension, with Venus passing north of Neptune. From Hawaiʻi, the pair will become visible at around 6:40 PM as dusk fades to darkness. Venus will shine brightly at magnitude -4.6, while Neptune will be at magnitude 7.9, both residing in the constellation Pisces. Although the pair will be too widely separated to fit within the field of view of a telescope, they will be visible through a pair of binoculars or with the naked eye.
α-Centaurid Meteor Shower
The α-Centaurid meteor shower will be active from January 28 to February 21, peaking around February 8, 2025. The radiant of the α-Centaurids (in Centaurus) begins to rise above the southern horizon after midnight in Hawaiʻi. The best time to view this meteor shower will be approximately 1:00 AM to 5:30 AM on February 8. While the radiant remains relatively low in the southern sky, some meteors may still streak across the sky from that direction.
Evening Observing
The star family Kekāomakaliʻi, or "The Bailer of Makaliʻi," continues to dominate the evening sky. This navigational starline is a key tool for Polynesian voyagers, and is composed of the stars Nānāmua (Castor), Nānāhope (Pollux) — also known as Nā Mahoe (Gemini) — and ʻAʻā (Sirius).
Also visible is the bright star cluster Makaliʻi (Pleiades) — a marker of the Makahiki season — which continues through February. The cluster’s sparkling appearance in the eastern sky after sunset signals a time of peace and reflection in Hawaiian culture.
In the southern sky, the gas giants Jupiter (Kaʻāwela) and Saturn (Makulu) offer striking views. As Venus approaches Jupiter for their February 20th conjunction, the western sky will dazzle with planetary brilliance.
Morning Observing
For early risers, the planet Hōkūloa (Venus) begins transitioning to the morning sky later in the month, appearing low on the eastern horizon before sunrise. Its dazzling light offers a brilliant start to the day.
Look to the southeast for the Southern Cross (Hānaiakamalama), a key navigational constellation that rises just before dawn. Beneath it, the bright band of the Milky Way stretches across the sky, offering breathtaking views for those who venture out during the early hours.
