The moon occults Mars
Right here’s hoping you’ve clear skies on the night of December 7 to eight, as a result of there’s a lot to see! First, the full moon is close to Mars within the early night of December 7, 2022. The exact second of full moon is at 10:08 p.m. CST on December 7 (4:08 UTC on December 8). Over the night, because the moon strikes previous Mars, it’ll move in entrance of the pink planet for a lot of North America and Europe. This is called an occultation, because the moon covers up or eclipses Mars. Then, round 12 a.m. CST (6 UTC) on December 8, Mars reaches opposition. Throughout opposition, the sun, Earth and Mars will kind a line, with Earth within the center.
To see the occultation of Mars, you’ll need to examine In-the-Sky.org to search out the exact time Mars will disappear and reappear out of your location. This fascinating and strange occasion seems to skywatchers who’re northwest of a diagonal line drawn from Augusta, Maine, via Columbus, Ohio, via Little Rock, Arkansas, and San Antonio, Texas, extending into Mexico. The map under will let in case your a part of the world will get to view the occultation.
For many who dwell outdoors the viewing space, as within the southeastern United States, you’ll see the moon and Mars skim proper previous one another. Some locations will even get to see Mars play peekaboo alongside the cratered and mountainous limb of the moon.
Mars at opposition
As a result of Mars reaches opposition in December 2022, it’s one of the best month to view it. Mars’s opposition, when it’s reverse the sun in our sky, implies that it’s seen from sunset to sunup. Throughout December, the pink planet may also be at its brightest. It’s the closest Mars shall be to Earth for the subsequent two years.
As a result of the moon shall be full and shiny on December 7-8, you’ll need to use binoculars to identify the dimmer planet.
Different sights this evening
Whilst you’re out stargazing, search for the shimmering star cluster of the Pleiades. You also needs to spot the fiery pink star Aldebaran close by. Does Mars or Aldebaran look redder to you? And, in fact, the eye-catching constellation of Orion the Hunter is close to the horizon. Reap the benefits of this evening crammed with fantastic observing alternatives.
Backside line: On the night of December 7 to eight, 2022, relying on location, the full moon occults Mars simply hours earlier than Mars reaches opposition.
