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On July 27, a spectacular astronomical phenomenon decorates the skies of planet Earth. That day, Mars will be at the shortest distance to Earth in recent years. It will be an opportunity for astronomy enthusiasts to point their telescopes at this star, whose name recalls the god of war in the ancient Roman civilization.
Germán Puerta, scientific coordinator of the Bogotá Planetarium, explains that the reason that Mars will be closer to Earth is due to a known process in astronomy like the opposition of perihelion, a word that refers to the point of the orbit of the red planet closest to the Sun.
"Approximately every two years, Earth and Mars are in the same area of the Solar System, called" opposition, "but 2018 is a very special year for Mars since it coincides with the closer to the Sun, the so-called "perihelion opposition" that occurs every 15 years . "
By 2018, the March opposition phase will be July 27, and the shortest distance between Mars and Earth will be on the 31st of the same month, which says Puerta
According to this popularizer, although Mars is "a small world", with only half the Earth's diameter and that is very far, is easily recognizable in the sky because of its deep red-orange color, its wide range of apparent luminosity variation, and its wide retrograde movement (this is a characteristic of the l & # 39; outer planetary orbit Some time they seem to move in the opposite direction.)
"The oppositions offer many interesting details of the Martian surface, visible with amateur telescopes. Between July and August 2018, the planet transits through the constellations of Capricorn and Sagittarius and, between July 7 and September 7, its reddish glow will be brighter than that of Jupiter, "says Puerta
. telescopes, the first feature that stands out on the surface of Mars are the polar layers, especially the north. Therefore, observers with telescopes between three and six inches located in places with good atmospheric conditions can clearly record the white polar layers, in addition to the dark and light marks on the surface, especially in the southern hemisphere .
With good quality telescopes, between seven and ten inches, you can notice some aspects of the atmosphere, and with large openings, between 11 and 16 inches, most of the details.
Tips for Visualization in March
Puerta explains that observing the red planet with amateur telescopes requires maximum care to visualize or photograph the greatest amount of detail. "Capturing Mars with telescopes is a unique opportunity, but it must be ensured that certain general conditions are met, such as the absence of light on the site of observation, the Device stability and excellent collimation and alignment "
It is also highly recommended to have a good map of the surface of Mars. Draw what you observe. It is the oldest and most effective technique for sharpening vision. You start with a circle on a white paper. The standard measurement is 42 mm in diameter.
Make several drawings and you will notice the changes, since the view requires at least half an hour to fully adjust to the darkness. The color filters help highlight the details on the surface of Mars. Oranges improve the contrast between light and dark places and help to perceive yellowish dust clouds; it is the obligatory color in the case of Mars.
"The red filters provide the maximum contrast on the surface of the planet, the yellows highlight the Martian deserts, and the details of the atmosphere such as clouds or fog", explains Puerta
Finally, it is advisable to record all relevant information: time, day, place, telescope, magnifications, filters, observation conditions and details observed.
The planet Mars is the only one on which we can distinguish the details of the surface, and in favorable oppositions, the owners of telescopes, even modest ones, will be able to observe them without difficulty and to record the diverse, intriguing and unpredictable changes that take place. The Red Planet
A Red-Moon Night
The second event that will be brought to heaven on July 27 will be worn by our closest cosmic neighbor. This night will be the longest total lunar eclipse of this century, and, although it is not visible in Colombia, it will offer a unique opportunity to the inhabitants of Asia, the world, and the world. Africa and part of Europe to enjoy the show. 19659003] Lunar eclipses occur when the Earth interposes between the Sun and the Moon, and the shadow of the planet obscures the satellite, giving it a coppery hue
The Last Total Lunar Eclipse January 31 This year, it lasted one hour and 16 minutes. The one on July 27 will last approximately one hour and 43 minutes. And the next lunar eclipse will take place on January 21, 2019 and will be visible from Colombian territory.
EDITORIAL OF SCIENCE
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