Moon approaching Mars
Search for a triangle of objects close to the moon on the evening of December 6-7, 2022. You’ll see the glowing Pleiades star cluster, the fiery purple star Aldebaran (eye of the Bull in Taurus). And also you’ll see vibrant purple Mars, now only one day away from its December 7-8 opposition. So Earth will fly between Mars and the sun tomorrow. And tomorrow evening – on December 7-8 – the moon will occult, or move in entrance of, Mars. Tons occurring!
You’ll discover extra about tomorrow’s occasions on the hyperlinks beneath. For tonight, discover that the Pleiades, Aldebaran and Mars from a pleasant triangle within the sky, framing the moon as seen from our perspective in North America.
Read: Mars in 2022, at opposition December 7-8
Read: Moon will occult (cover) Mars on December 7-8
The Pleiades, or 7 Sisters
The Pleiades seems to be like a tiny misty dipper within the sky. It’s extra dipper-like than the precise Little Dipper asterism, positioned within the northern sky. Some folks see six stars within the Pleiades. Others see seven stars, or extra. In Greek skylore, the Pleiades have been known as the 7 Sisters.
Aldebaran, Eye of the Bull
Aldebaran is a vibrant red-orange star. You may’t miss it! And, in case your sky is darkish sufficient, discover that the star Aldebaran is the brightest member of a V-shaped grouping of star known as the Hyades star cluster. The traditional stargazers noticed the Hyades as forming the Bull’s face, and Aldebaran because the Bull’s eye. A lot of the stars on this V are a part of a real star cluster in space. Aldebaran isn’t part of the cluster, although; it’s a vibrant foreground star.
Aldebaran is commonly brighter than Mars, when Mars is way throughout the solar system. However now – with Earth poised to move between Mars and the sun tomorrow – Mars is brighter than Aldebaran!
An enormous week for Mars
Mars is a good goal to watch this week and all through December. And tomorrow evening for a lot of North America (the morning of December 8 for Europe), the full moon will occult – or eclipse – Mars. Then, simply hours later, Mars reaches opposition. That’s when Earth will move between Mars and the sun, with Mars showing reverse the sun in our sky.
Mars is now rising at sundown and setting at dawn. At opposition, the gap between Mars and Earth might be approximtely closest for a few two-year interval. So Mars is especially vibrant now … and enjoyable to see.
By the way in which, Mars will stay in Taurus for the remainder of the yr and a lot of the first quarter of 2023.
Backside line: See the moon approaching Mars on December 6, 2022. Plus look ahead to the Pleiades star cluster, and purple star Aldebaran, shut by. Right here’s what to search for.
For more great observing events in the coming weeks, visit EarthSky’s night sky guide
