Ahmed Atef (Cairo)
Mars disappears from the sky for several weeks, starting today, Friday, due to an astronomical phenomenon caused by the sun, as Mars passes close to the sun, causing it to disappear.
According to the Egyptian Institute for Astronomical Research, the separation between Mars and the sun will be 0 ° 39 degrees, and the orbit of Mars will be at the farthest point from Earth at a distance of 2.63 astronomical units, and while that the sun will be placed between Mars and the Earth.
During the weeks when Mars disappears from the sky, communications to and from the exploration spacecraft will be cut off, due to the influence of charged particles emanating from the sun.
The planet Mars reappears at the end of next December, when it is visible to the naked eye, and gradually increases its luminosity, reaching its peak in spring 2022.
On the other hand, the Jeddah Astronomical Society has warned against any attempt to observe this phenomenon through a telescope or binoculars, as it could damage the eye, due to its proximity to the sun.