2 celestial events to light up sky on February 19
What's the story
On February 19, 2026, skywatchers will be treated to two celestial events. First, Mercury will reach its greatest eastern elongation, the point where it appears farthest from the Sun in the sky. Later in the evening, a thin crescent Moon will pass close to Saturn. The double feature offers both scientific significance and a beautiful twilight pairing for stargazers across continents.
Event schedule
Timing of events
Mercury's greatest eastern elongation will occur between 2:00-3:00pm EST, making it visible shortly after local sunset. The Moon-Saturn pairing, on the other hand, will be best viewed during twilight hours (6:00-6:30pm EST). Both events will appear in the western sky shortly after sunset, providing an excellent opportunity for stargazers to witness these celestial phenomena.
Global view
Visibility across the world
The Mercury elongation will be visible worldwide after sunset, including in the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia, India and Australia. The Crescent Moon near Saturn will be visible in the US, Europe, Middle East, India, and Africa. Both events promise to light up the night sky on February 19, a unique combination of science and spectacle that highlights the dynamic nature of our solar system.