Mars making the closest approach to Earth in 15 years

On July 31, 2018, Mars will be the closest to Earth in 15 years, the Associated Press reported on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. PHOTO OF NASA

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida, United States – It is 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 57.8 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 appear larger – as Tuesday approaches. Astronomers are waiting for a good viewing until the beginning of the month of August.

A massive 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 until the storm calms down, and maybe not even then.

The good news of all Martian dust is that it reflects sunlight, which makes the red planet even brighter, says the Widener University astronomer. . It's as bright as an airplane landing, "said Augensen." Not quite as brilliant as Venus, but still because of the reddish, red-orange color, you can not really not miss it in the sky. "

In 2003, Mars and Earth were the closest in nearly 60,000 years – 34.6 million miles (55.7 million kilometers). will not happen again until 2287. The next approach, meanwhile, in 2020, will be 38.6 million miles (62 million kilometers), according to NASA.

Observatories across the United States the week. Observatory Griffith Los Angeles 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. 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.