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CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – It's now time to catch Mars in the night sky
Next week, the Red Planet will make its closest approach to Earth in 15 years.
The two planets will be just 57.6 million kilometers apart next Tuesday. And Friday, March will be in opposition. This means that Mars and the sun will be exactly on opposite sides of the Earth. That same day, parts of the world will see a total lunar eclipse.
Mars is already brighter than usual and will shine even more – and will look bigger – as Tuesday approaches. Astronomers are waiting for a good viewing until the beginning of the month of August.
A mbadive dust storm currently engulfing Mars masks surface details normally visible with telescopes. The Martian atmosphere is so full of dust that NASA's rover Opportunity can not recharge – there is not enough sun to reach its solar panels – and it's quiet since the June 10th. Flight Controllers Do not Expect to Hear The good news about all Martian dust is that it reflects sunlight, making it an even brighter red planet, said the ### 39, Widener University astronomer Harry Augensen
"It's beautiful, it's as bright as a plane landing lighthouse", said Mr. Augensen. "Not as bright as Venus, but always because of the reddish, orange-red color, you really can not miss it in the sky."
In 2003, Mars and Earth were the closest in nearly 60,000 years – 55.7 million kilometers. NASA said it will not happen again until 2287. The next approach, meanwhile, in 2020, will be 62 million kilometers, according to NASA.
Observatories across the United States host March events next week. The Los Angeles Griffith Observatory will provide a live online view of March Tuesday
The total lunar eclipse on Friday will be visible in Australia, Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the sun, the Earth and the Moon align perfectly, projecting the Earth's shadow onto the Moon. Friday will be long, one hour and 43 minutes
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