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Do not worry if you see a bright orange dot in the sky at night – that's the close-up view of Mars.
And, as the two planets come closer to each other in the coming days, According to a Chicago expert, he could only improve.
At 2:51 on Tuesday, Earth and Mars should be distant about 36 million miles, which is the closest of the two planets in more than a decade. Michelle Nichols, Director of Public Observation at the Adler Planetarium. Still, the land will not be as close to Mars as it was in 2003 while we were only 35 million miles from each other, said Nichols [19659002ThisyearEarthwastheclosettoMarsin60000yearsmathematicalcalculationsthatwillnothappenagainuntilAugust2287
. What happens in the sky happens about every 15 years and that is what is called opposition. Mars and Earth will be on the same side of the sun and all three will be lined up, Nichols said. For the inhabitants of the Earth, it means a better and brighter vision of Mars. Planets do not always align this way because their orbits are not perfect circles and the Earth rotates faster around the sun, says Andrew Dombard, an associate professor at the University of Chicago. Chicago Illinois
Chicago residents do not have to stand Monday night to have a view of Mars. Nichols said, "Frankly, if someone has a telescope at any time in July or August, you'll have a decent view," says Nichols.
The Adler Planetarium organizes a free event from 9am to 11pm. Monday, where the public will have access to the telescopes to have a detailed view of the hours of Mars before the planets are supposed to be closer, said Nichols. Attendees will also be able to touch a piece of Mars – a rock from a meteorite – during the event.
Viewers trying to find Mars should look low in the southeast skies and find an "extraordinarily bright orange dot". She said that the direction and thickness of the clouds could affect the view, and that the planet could also be obscured by tall trees and buildings in the city, she said. to the national meteorological service. The planetarium staff will monitor the forecast throughout the weekend and will announce on social media if the event needs to be canceled due to bad weather, Nichols said.
Dombard said, "You will see the moon, a bright, reddish star – it's Mars – and then a dimmer slightly – not so red (but) still a pretty bright star," said Dombard. " Even with the lights of the city, you should always be able to see something. "
Twitter @ElviaMalagon
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