Double heavenly event coming this month

With Mars closer than she has been in 15 years , almost double the brightness of Jupiter to the naked eye, and the longest total lunar eclipse of the century, space lovers can tune the skies for a double celestial enchantment this month .

On the night of July 27 to 28, the Moon will be totally eclipsed for an hour, 43 minutes. The event can be observed in much of the globe, including India, where it can be seen after 11:54 Indian Standard Time on July 27th.

According to Debiprosad Duari, Director, Research and Academic, MP Birla Institute of Fundamental Research, it will be the longest total lunar eclipse of the century.

Four days later, another spectacular heavenly event will captivate millions of people around the world, Duari said.

On July 31, Mars, the fourth planet of the Sun, will be 57.6 million kilometers from the Earth, the closest since 2003 when it was 55.7 million kilometers, the closest since 60 000 years.

"The red planet will be the brightest since 2003, when Mars made its closest approach to Earth in nearly 60,000 years since 24 September 57617 BC," said Mr. Duari at the press agency PTI

Mars will be visible in the sky after sunset. provided the monsoon clouds don & # 39;

Explaining the celestial phenomenon, the astrophysicist said that the orbital period increases as the distance between a planet and the Sun increases. That's why the Earth puts a little over 365 days to go around the Sun and Mars takes 687 days.

"Due to the difference in orbital velocity and orbital period, the Earth passes between Mars and Mars, the Sun, which brings Mars and the Sun exactly on the opposite sides, that is, what is happening to the Earth. Mars is called for opposition, "said Duari.

This year, Mars will be at its opposition on July 27, only 51 days before it passes through its perihelion – its closest point to the Sun in its orbit.

"As it will be very close to Earth by then, it will appear very bright and will be visible pretty much after sunset and will stay in the sky until the red planet will shine very well. in our night sky … it will be easier to see it clearly with telescopes or even with the naked eye, "says Duari.

Mars is getting close enough for these exceptional opportunities only once or twice every 15 or 17 years, Duari added.

March's opposition, when it will be relatively brighter and larger than average, will be October 6, 2020. But it will be a little further, at about 61.76 million kilometers from Earth and will seem relatively smaller and less brilliant than on July 31, 2018. "

The next closest approach, but not as close as 2003, will not be until 2035.

" He will approach the Earth that in 2003 only on 2287 (August 29) when According to Mr. Duari, the 2003 Internet hoax according to which Mars would be as big as the Moon when it was closest to Earth, Duari said that the rumor surfaced every day.

"But we must note that at its closest approach this year, Mars will be only 24.3 arc.

Seconds through and nowhere near the size of the Moon, which is 75 times larger in diameter as it appears, "said Duari.

It is safe to watch the celestial event through the naked eye. Those hoping to see more details can use a telescope four inches in diameter and larger.

The South Polar region and the icecaps that cover it will be clearly visible from Earth through a medium-sized telescope, says Duari. "Just after sunset, you have to look near the east-southeast horizon to see this bright planet, appearing 1.8 times brighter than Jupiter," says Duari.

He also expressed the hope that a large storm engulfs Mars, spotted by astronomers, will drop by July 31 and the red planet can be seen at its approach the closest in all its splendor.