December 7 Sun, Earth, Moon, Mars Aligned Today
As seen from above the solar system on the night of December 7-8, 2022, the sun, Earth, moon and planet Mars make an approximate line in space today. We've reached Mars' once-in-2-years opposition - when we fly between the sun and Mars - placing Mars is opposite the sun in our sky. Also, from Earth tonight, we see a full moon. And - as a bonus - the moon will cover Mars, blotting it temporarily from view, in an event called an occultation by astronomers. Wow!
And....
Moon will occult (cover) Mars tonight
You can't see Mars near tonight's moon? That might be because you're looking when Mars is behind the moon. In fact, the moon will pass in front of the red planet, as seen from much of North America and Europe, tonight. Astronomers call this event an occultation. It's a fascinating and unusual event. Find details, plus livestreams, in this post.
Auroras predicted for tonight NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center forecasts a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm this evening, extending into Thursday morning, according to North American clocks. It's due to high-speed solar wind from the large coronal hole on the sun. See the chart below, and read the aurora forecast.
All that said, the clouds here will cover the sun, moon, mars, and the rest of the sky. Otherwise, I’d get a chance to look at it all.
You can’t see Mars near tonight’s moon? That might be because
theres no Moon when its overcast and Raining!!