On Wednesday (Dec. 7), skywatchers world wide had been handled to a celestial present as the total moon eclipsed Mars within the night time sky.
The uncommon occasion, often called a lunar occultation, refers to 1 celestial physique — on this case, Mars — showing to vanish or conceal behind one other — on this case, the moon. This occultation was notably noteworthy as a result of Mars was at opposition, which means Earth was straight between it and the solar, making the Crimson Planet seem notably vibrant within the night time sky.
Associated: See Mars at opposition in these free webcasts tonight (Dec. 8)
Final night time’s occultation of Mars by the total moon produced some attractive pictures from observers world wide. The Griffith Observatory in California had an awesome view of the moon and Mars becoming a member of up on Dec. 7 and caught a time-lapse of the Crimson Planet disappearing behind Earth’s celestial companion as seen within the video above.
As well as, skywatchers world wide have been posting attractive pictures of the lunar occultation of Mars on social media, providing a take a look at one of many yr’s most-watched celestial occasions.
Astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy caught Mars and the total moon (opens in new tab) in a stupendous close-up:
That is the second Mars peeked out from behind our moon after being hidden for an hour. This shot was captured utilizing my largest telescope and a particular high-speed digital camera. Seeing one other planet rising on the horizon of our moon was such a surreal expertise. pic.twitter.com/8IctbVXuUMDecember 8, 2022
Spaceflight photographer John Kraus caught a gorgeous shot of Mars (opens in new tab) because it appeared behind the moon following occultation:
Beginner astrophotographer Tom Williams produced a stunning picture of the moon and Mars by combining a number of images, and supplied an evidence of how he made the picture (opens in new tab) on Twitter.
The 2022 Lunar #Occultation of #Mars!This can be a crop of a wider picture, and exhibits the pink planet on it is descent behind the jap lunar limb captured final night time from residence. Sinus Gomer is central with Syrtis Main at prime. See thread for processing. What an occasion!#astrophotography pic.twitter.com/IBNiW8mA9cDecember 8, 2022
Beginner astronomer and photographer Tom Glenn produced a breathtaking picture of Mars (opens in new tab) rising above the moon by stacking 15 totally different {photograph} frames.
#Mars rising above the lunar limb. This can be a stack of 15 frames captured inside a 2s interval through the finish of the occultation by the #Moon. Captured with a C9.25 Edge HD and ASI678mc. pic.twitter.com/xrDiI3d7keDecember 8, 2022
Astronomer and science communicator Phil Plait caught Mars creeping behind the moon (opens in new tab) simply previous to occultation.
The Moon and Mars a couple of minutes earlier than #occultation. I shot this by means of my bed room window utilizing my recognizing ‘scope and a phonecam (that is why there is a sturdy Moon reflection to the higher left). Take a look at the colour distinction! The occultation was cool, taki… https://t.co/lpxYVpmbmi pic.twitter.com/SUISrvttx7December 8, 2022
The lunar occultation of Mars by the total Chilly Moon was notably noteworthy as a result of the Crimson Planet solely seems at opposition each 26 months, so the subsequent opposition will not happen till January 2025.
Mars was additionally particularly near Earth throughout this occasion, which occurred whereas the planet was at perigee, or its closest level to Earth in its orbit. In accordance with NASA, Mars and Earth will not be this shut for one more 265 years, till 2287.
Editor’s Notice: In the event you snap an awesome picture of both Mars at opposition or the lunar occultation and wish to share it with Area.com’s readers, ship your picture(s), feedback, and your identify and placement to [email protected]
Observe Brett on Twitter at @bretttingley (opens in new tab). Observe us on Twitter @Spacedotcom (opens in new tab) or on Fb (opens in new tab).
