Mars will reach opposition on Oct. 13, 2020, when the Red Planet will be only 39 million miles (62.7 million km) from Earth — the closest pairing until 2035. As a result, Mars looks much brighter and bigger than usual.
(Image: © Sky & Telescope)
Posted on 10/13/2020 9:41:55 AM PDT by BenLurkin
Mars reaches opposition today, Oct. 13, offering skywatchers an early Halloween treat.
During opposition, Mars, Earth and the sun form a straight line, with Earth in the middle. As a result, the Red Planet appears bigger, brighter and redder than usual — and the planet won't get this close to Earth again until 2035, according to a statement from Sky & Telescope.
While Mars will be at its maximum apparent size when viewed through a telescope, the Red Planet actually made its closest approach to Earth last week, on Oct. 6, when the two planets were separated by just 38.6 million miles (62 million kilometers).
Mars will reach opposition on Oct. 13, 2020, when the Red Planet will be only 39 million miles (62.7 million km) from Earth — the closest pairing until 2035. As a result, Mars looks much brighter and bigger than usual.
(Image: © Sky & Telescope)
(Excerpt) Read more at space.com ...
Found an Android app named Star Walk 2 that is FANTASTIC at pinpointing all the stars and constellations based on your location. It helped me find Mars almost immediately the other night.
It also works in the daytime and if you point it down it shows stars on the other side of the world.
They did not pay me for this endorsement ;)
Was very, very prominent in the Western sky this morning at 5:00 AM here in North Louisiana. Cool front went thru last night, no clouds whatsoever. Also, Venus very bright beneath the crescent moon.
Nice.
Since it is in opposition it will be south at midnight. Probably a little east of south because of Daylight Saving Time.
Hubby’s retirement hobby is astrophotography and is very excited about capturing Mars tonight. A blessing that we’re supposed to have clear skies tonight.
bookmark for tips on time and direction to view this event
My favorite Avengers episode.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_Venus_with_Love
Several astronomers—and members of the British Venusian Society—have been found dead, their hair bleached white. The Society had planned on sending a satellite to the planet Venus. As Steed and Peel investigate, they discover all the astronomers had been looking directly at the planet before they were found dead, which members say heralds an invasion by the Venusians. Steed and Peel soon uncover a scheme featuring lasers, a treacherous eye surgeon Dr. Primble, and a quest to launch a satellite to monitor Venus.
I’ve been lucky in my lifetime to experience astronomic sights that many in their life times will never see. Comets, total solar eclipse without traveling across the globe and some I’d need to be reminded of. The eclipse was the most dramatic with the sudden drop of temperature and the earie glow. Haleys’ comet was great too. Hale Bop was good. Hoping to see a supernova before I join the cosmos. Also never seen the Northern lights. Bucket list.
South
The Northern Lights are probably the most awesome thing I have ever seen - and I’ve witnessed a lot of the same phenomenon as you. There are lodges in and around Fairbanks, Alaska that specialize in Aurora viewing opportunities. It would be worth your time and $$$ to check this out. Seeing conditions in central Alaska during January and February are generally clear and (ahem) cold (as in -50*F or so). Some of the lodges offer “indoor” viewing. Lots of Japanese tourists go there.
We are out of town on the edge of the forest. I happened to look out a window last night just after midnight and saw what appeared to be a very bright planet high in the southern sky. It was probably Mars.
As far as finding it, be aware that the solar system is essentially co-planar. This means that if you had a really, really big sheet of cardboard, all of the planets and the sun would be pretty close to that sheet. The “path”, as seen from the earth, is called the Zodiac. It also means that when you are trying to find planets in the sky, you should consider the trajectory of the sun during the prior day and look for planets close to that trajectory.
The twelve constellations of the Zodiac are located on that path. And no, I am not into astrology. Ancient peoples have used the constellations of the Zodiac to keep track of seasons for millennia.
The magnitude (brightness) of Mars tonight at midnight over the western US will -2.6. That’s pretty close to Jupiter at its brightest and THAT is bright!
Just wait an hour or two after sunset and look east.
It will be due south around 12-1am and in the west after 3am
You can’t miss it, Mars right now is brighter than Jupiter (Which is in the South at Sunset, with Saturn just to Jupiter’s left).
There is a Hot Springs resort a bit north of Fairbanks has a large room w/ domed glass roof and reclining chairs. Aurora alerts for the guests (mostly newly wed Japanese). THE place to view NLights.
Love me some recliner time!
One problem with observing/photographing Mars is that the Martian day is only a few minutes longer than our day. So night after night you are going to see pretty much the same side of Mars.
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