Mars will reach opposition on Oct. 13, 2020, when the Red Planet will be only 39 million miles (62.7 million km) from Earth — the closest pairing until 2035. As a result, Mars looks much brighter and bigger than usual.
(Image: © Sky & Telescope)
Posted on 10/13/2020 9:41:55 AM PDT by BenLurkin
Mars reaches opposition today, Oct. 13, offering skywatchers an early Halloween treat.
During opposition, Mars, Earth and the sun form a straight line, with Earth in the middle. As a result, the Red Planet appears bigger, brighter and redder than usual — and the planet won't get this close to Earth again until 2035, according to a statement from Sky & Telescope.
While Mars will be at its maximum apparent size when viewed through a telescope, the Red Planet actually made its closest approach to Earth last week, on Oct. 6, when the two planets were separated by just 38.6 million miles (62 million kilometers).
Mars will reach opposition on Oct. 13, 2020, when the Red Planet will be only 39 million miles (62.7 million km) from Earth — the closest pairing until 2035. As a result, Mars looks much brighter and bigger than usual.
(Image: © Sky & Telescope)
(Excerpt) Read more at space.com ...
It was very visible on Sunday night as I came home from church.
I use the Sky View (Lite) app, the free version. I’ve been using it for years on my iPhone. Sounds like you app works about the same way.
Last night was the first really clear night in a while here and Mars was very bright in the south at midnight. I didn’t get out my binoculars to try to see the flag our astronauts left there because I didn’t know if it is on the side that was facing earth at the time.
Mars is literally right next to the moon right now, if you have the ability to do daylight observation. amazing! You can’t quite see it with the naked eye, but a even a cheap Celestron or Orion with shrouding will grab it.
Venus - Sun - Jupiter - Saturn - Pluto in a line
Mercury - Earth - Mars - Uranus in a line
Orson Welles broadcast War of the Worlds during Halloween where Mars launched its attack on Earth during opposition.
Lol
A Sheila Jackson Lee fan
One can hope...
Just wait until Christmas Eve...
#3 The Star Walk 2 app is very good. I opened it up on my phone and you can see the lineup of the planets in the eastern sky. Great for helping pinpointing object.
You can also zoom in on objects like Orion and see the nebula close up. I must have a great camera on my LG G6 phone.... : )
I just went out and took another look: Totally clear skies, not too many lights around here — very impressive!!
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