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CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – Now is the 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 only 35.8 million miles (57.6 million km) apart from 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 look bigger – 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 The good news about all Martian dust is that it reflects sunlight, which makes the red planet even brighter, said the company. 39, Widener University astronomer Harry Augensen
"It's beautiful, it's as bright as an airplane landing," Augensen said. "Not as bright as Venus, but always because of the reddish, orange-red color, you really can 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 km). NASA has said that this will not happen again until 2287. The next approach, meanwhile, in 2020, will be 38.6 million miles (62 million km), according to NASA.
Observatories across the United States the 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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