Mars making the closest approach to Earth in 15 years



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Now is the time to catch Mars in the night sky

Next week, the Red Planet is making its closest approach to Earth in 15 years.

The two planets will be distant only 57.6 million kilometers 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 appear bigger as Tuesday approaches. Astronomers expect a good viewing early August

A mbadive dust storm engulfs Mars, but obscures the surface details normally visible through telescopes

The Martian Atmosphere is so full of dust that NASA's rover Opportunity can not reload. enough sun can reach its solar panels and so it is quiet since June 10th.

Flight Controllers do not expect to hear about 14 year Opportunity until the storm soothes, and maybe not even.

Widener University astronomer, Harry Augensen, said: "It's beautiful, it's as bright as an airplane landing, "said Augensen. "Not quite as bright as Venus, but always because of the reddish, orange-reddish 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 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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