This week presents a number of alternatives to get an incredible have a look at the Pink Planet.
On Wednesday (Dec. 7), the total moon shall be in shut proximity to a brilliant Mars throughout an occasion referred to as a lunar occultation. And on Thursday (Dec. 8), Mars shall be at opposition, which means that in Earth’s skies, it is going to be discovered instantly reverse the solar. These occasions additionally occur to coincide with Mars being near perigee (its closest level to Earth), which occurred on Nov. 30.
The proper storm of astronomical occasions signifies that it is a great week to observe Mars within the evening sky, showing bigger and brighter than traditional and making itself straightforward to identify subsequent to a full Chilly Moon. And even if in case you have cloudy skies or cannot make it exterior, you are still in luck: There are many alternatives to see Mars at its finest this week due to a number of free on-line livestreams.
Associated: Mars at opposition will meet up with the total moon subsequent week (Dec. 7). This is easy methods to see it
Learn extra: December full moon 2022: The Chilly Moon occults Mars
Methods to see Mars in particular person this week
For a lot of components of North America, Europe and a few components of North Africa, the lunar occultation shall be seen within the evening sky on Dec. 7 and Dec. 8.
The spectacle begins roughly an hour after sundown within the Taurus constellation on Dec. 7 for North American skywatchers as the total moon and Mars transfer shut collectively (in Europe, the occasion will occur simply earlier than dawn on Dec. 8). Relying on one’s location, the Pink Planet will then disappear behind the moon earlier than reappearing an hour later.
Sky and Telescope has put collectively a information on when and the place you may see Mars (opens in new tab)disappear behind the moon this week throughout lunar occultation.
Griffith Observatory livestream of the lunar occultation of Mars
On Wednesday (Dec. 7), the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, California will host a free on-line livestream (opens in new tab) of the lunar occultation of Mars. The printed will start at 9:00 p.m. EST (0200 GMT on Dec. 8), climate allowing. Mars will disappear behind the moon at 9:31 p.m. EST (0231 GMT) and reappear one hour later.
The observatory will even add a time-lapse recording of the occasion on Thursday (Dec. 8) at 11:00 a.m. EST (1600 GMT).
McDonald Observatory livestream of Mars at opposition
The McDonald Observatory on the College of Texas at Austin, at the side of the Lowell Observatory in Arizona, will host a livestream of Mars at opposition. The printed begins on Thursday (Dec. 8) at 9:00 p.m. EST (0200 GMT on Dec. 9) and might be discovered on the McDonald Observatory’s YouTube channel (opens in new tab).
Hosts from each observatories will present commentary through the occasion that can embody discussions of Martian geology and historical past in addition to spaceflight missions to the Pink Planet. If climate permits, the livestream will embody reside views of Mars at opposition from telescopes at each observatory websites.
The Digital Telescope Challenge livestream of the moon occulting Mars at opposition
The Digital Telescope Challenge (opens in new tab) will host a free livestream of the moon occulting Mars at opposition. The printed will start at 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday (0300 GMT on Dec. 9) and might be discovered on the mission’s YouTube channel (opens in new tab).
What does it imply when Mars is at opposition?
When astronomers say {that a} planet is at opposition, it signifies that the planet, Earth, and the solar are all in a straight line, with Earth within the center. This association signifies that the planet is actually reverse the solar, therefore the time period “opposition,” making the planet seem brightly lit from our vantage level on Earth.
When the Pink Planet is in opposition, it’s a lot brighter than traditional and due to this fact a lot simpler to see within the evening sky. This occasion solely occurs each 26 months, and the planet’s elliptical orbit means throughout some oppositions Mars is nearer to Earth than others.
Throughout this week’s opposition, Mars shall be nearer to Earth than it is going to be till 2033. The Royal Astronomical Society has put collectively an incredible explainer (opens in new tab) on the occasion, together with the video under.
What’s a lunar occultation of Mars?
The phrase “occult” means to hide or conceal from view; when astronomers discuss with an occultation, they imply an occasion by which one celestial object passes in entrance of one other from an observer’s perspective, hiding the item behind it. Within the case of this week’s lunar occultation of Mars, it signifies that from Earth, the moon will seem to hide or “cowl up” the Pink Planet. For a lot of viewers, Mars will disappear behind the moon for roughly an hour earlier than reemerging into view.
There are sufficient occultations all through any given 12 months that there’s an Worldwide Occultation Timing Affiliation (opens in new tab) which offers detailed data resembling actual areas and instances of different occultations.
The Griffith Observatory has revealed a video explainer (opens in new tab) of the occasion, discovered under.
Learn extra: What’s an occultation?
Whether or not you are new to skywatching or have been it at for years, make sure to not miss our guides for the finest binoculars and the finest telescopes to view the occultation of Mars and different unbelievable issues within the evening sky. For capturing the perfect Mars or moon footage you may, take a look at our suggestions for the perfect cameras for astrophotography and finest lenses for astrophotography.
Editor’s Notice: Should you snap an incredible picture of both Mars at opposition or the lunar occultation and wish to share it with House.com’s readers, ship your picture(s), feedback, and your identify and placement to [email protected].
