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Now is the time to catch Mars in the night sky
The Red Planet is making its closest approach to Earth in 15 years on Tuesday. The two planets will be only 57.6 million kilometers apart.
Last week, Mars was already brighter than usual and will shine even more – and look bigger – on Tuesday. 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 – not enough sunlight can reach its solar panels – and so it's quiet since June 10th. Controllers Do not Expect to Hear About Opportunity The good news about all Martian dust is that it reflects sunlight, which makes the red planet even brighter, said the company. 39, Widener University astronomer Harry Augensen
"It's beautiful, it's as bright as an airplane landing," Augensen said. "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 in 2020 will be 62 million kilometers, according to NASA.
Observatories across the United States host viewing events on Mars. 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.
First publication: Jul 31, 2018 07:51 IST
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