On Wednesday (Dec. 7), skywatchers all over the world have been handled to a celestial present because the full moon eclipsed Mars within the night time sky.
The occasion, referred to as a lunar occultation, refers to 1 celestial physique — on this case, Mars — showing to vanish or cover behind one other — on this case, the moon. This occultation was notably noteworthy as a result of Mars was at opposition, that means Earth was straight between it and the sun, making the Crimson Planet seem notably brilliant within the night time sky.Â
Final night time’s occultation of Mars by the full Cold Moon produced some beautiful pictures from observers all over the world. The Griffith Observatory in California had an excellent view of the moon and Mars becoming a member of up on Dec. 7 and caught a time-lapse of the Crimson Planet disappearing behind Earth’s celestial companion as seen within the video above.
Associated: Mars at opposition will meet up with the full moon next week (Dec. 7). Here’s how to see it
As well as, skywatchers all over the world have been posting beautiful pictures of the lunar occultation of Mars on social media, providing a take a look at one of many yr’s most-watched celestial occasions.
Astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy caught Mars and the full moon (opens in new tab) in a stupendous close-up:
That is the second Mars peeked out from behind our moon after being hidden for an hour. This shot was captured utilizing my largest telescope and a particular high-speed digicam. Seeing one other planet rising on the horizon of our moon was such a surreal expertise. pic.twitter.com/8IctbVXuUMDecember 8, 2022
Spaceflight photographer John Kraus caught a stunning shot of Mars (opens in new tab) because it appeared behind the moon following occultation:
Novice astrophotographer Tom Williams produced a beautiful picture of the moon and Mars by combining a number of pictures, and provided an explanation of how he made the image (opens in new tab) on Twitter.
The 2022 Lunar #Occultation of #Mars!It is a crop of a wider picture, and reveals the pink planet on it is descent behind the japanese lunar limb captured final night time from residence. Sinus Gomer is central with Syrtis Main at high. See thread for processing. What an occasion!#astrophotography pic.twitter.com/IBNiW8mA9cDecember 8, 2022
Novice astronomer and photographer Tom Glenn produced a breathtaking image of Mars (opens in new tab) rising above the moon by stacking 15 totally different {photograph} frames.
#Mars rising above the lunar limb. It is a stack of 15 frames captured inside a 2s interval through the finish of the occultation by the #Moon. Captured with a C9.25 Edge HD and ASI678mc. pic.twitter.com/xrDiI3d7keDecember 8, 2022
Astronomer and science communicator Phil Plait caught Mars creeping behind the moon (opens in new tab) simply previous to occultation.
The Moon and Mars a couple of minutes earlier than #occultation. I shot this via my bed room window utilizing my recognizing ‘scope and a phonecam (that is why there is a sturdy Moon reflection to the higher left). Have a look at the colour distinction! The occultation was cool, taki… https://t.co/lpxYVpmbmi pic.twitter.com/SUISrvttx7December 8, 2022
The lunar occultation of Mars by the total Chilly Moon was notably noteworthy as a result of the Crimson Planet solely seems at opposition each 26 months, so the subsequent opposition will not happen till January 2025.
Mars was additionally particularly near Earth throughout this occasion, which occurred whereas the planet was at perigee, or its closest level to Earth in its orbit. Based on NASA, Mars and Earth will not be this shut for an additional 215 years, till 2237.Â
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