Mars approaching the Earth since 2003 Tuesday

Kolkata: A spectacular celestial event will fascinate the city's inhabitants and astronomers on July 31, when Mars will be the closest to the Earth since 2003.

The red planet will be at its best since 2003, when Mars has made its closest approach to Earth in nearly 60,000 years (since September 24, 57,617 BC)

According to Dr. Debiprosad Duari, Director of Research and Education , MP Birla Planetarium, Mars, the fourth planet of the Sun, orbits around the Earth. distance than our planet. As the distance from the Sun increases, the orbital period also increases.

While Earth takes a little over 365 days to get around the Sun, Mars takes 687 days. Due to the difference in orbital velocity and orbital period, every 26 months or so, the Earth pbades between Mars and the Sun, bringing Mars and Sun exactly on opposite sides of the Earth. This is called March to Opposition

This year, Mars was at its opposition on July 27, only 51 days before going through its perihelion – its closest point to the sun in its orbit . Since it will be close enough to the Earth by then, it will appear very bright and will be visible roughly after sunset and will remain in the sky until sunrise.

The red planet will shine very well in our night sky. At this time, it will be easier to see the red planet clearly with telescopes or even at the naked eye

Mars is approaching these exceptional opportunities only once or twice every 15 or 17 years

. the elliptical orbits of the planets, the Earth and Mars are getting closer at the moment of opposition.

"The closest approach to Mars this time will be July 31, and it will be brighter and bigger than in 2003 The next closest approach to the Red Planet, but not as close as it is in 2003, will not occur until 2035. Mars will only approach Earth in 2003 alone in 2287 (August 29), when no one on earth will remain alive, "says Dr. Duari

March's next opposition, when it will be relatively brighter and larger than average, will take place on October 6, 2020, but it will be a little further and will be relatively smaller and less brilliant than July 31, 2018.

Mars will be visible i in the night sky after sunset until sunrise from all over India, provided that the monsoon clouds do not play spoilsport

It is perfectly sure to observe Mars at the naked naked eye, but if lovers are eager to see a little more in detail, they can use telescopes 4 inches in diameter and larger to see some of the surface features of the planet.