This week affords a number of alternatives to get a fantastic have a look at the Crimson Planet.
On Wednesday (Dec. 7), the full moon can be in shut proximity to a shiny Mars throughout an occasion referred to as a lunar occultation. And on Thursday (Dec. 8), Mars can be at opposition, which means that in Earth‘s skies, it will likely be discovered immediately reverse the sun. These occasions additionally occur to coincide with Mars being near perigee (its closest level to Earth), which occurred on Nov. 30.Â
The proper storm of astronomical occasions implies that it is a fantastic week to observe Mars within the night time sky, showing bigger and brighter than typical and making itself simple to identify subsequent to a full Cold Moon. And even if in case you have cloudy skies or cannot make it exterior, you are still in luck: There are many alternatives to see Mars at its finest this week due to a number of free on-line livestreams.
Associated: Mars at opposition will meet up with the full moon next week (Dec. 7). Here’s how to see it
Learn extra: December full moon 2022: The Cold Moon occults Mars
Tips on how to see Mars in individual this week
For a lot of elements of North America, Europe and a few elements of North Africa, the lunar occultation can be seen within the night time sky on Dec. 7 and Dec. 8.Â
The spectacle begins roughly an hour after sundown in the Taurus constellation on Dec. 7 for North American skywatchers because the full moon and Mars transfer shut collectively (in Europe, the occasion will occur simply earlier than dawn on Dec. 8). Relying on one’s location, the Crimson Planet will then disappear behind the moon earlier than reappearing an hour later.
Sky and Telescope has put collectively a information on when and where you can see Mars (opens in new tab)disappear behind the moon this week throughout lunar occultation.
Griffith Observatory livestream of the lunar occultation of Mars
On Wednesday (Dec. 7), the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, California will host a free online livestream (opens in new tab) of the lunar occultation of Mars. The published will start at 9:00 p.m. EST (0200 GMT on Dec. 8), climate allowing. Mars will disappear behind the moon at 9:31 p.m. EST (0231 GMT) and reappear one hour later.Â
The observatory may also add a time-lapse recording of the occasion on Thursday (Dec. 8) at 11:00 a.m. EST (1600 GMT).
McDonald Observatory livestream of Mars at opposition
The McDonald Observatory on the College of Texas at Austin, in conjunction with the Lowell Observatory in Arizona, will host a livestream of Mars at opposition. The published begins on Thursday (Dec. 8) at 9:00 p.m. EST (0200 GMT on Dec. 9) and could be discovered on the McDonald Observatory’s YouTube channel (opens in new tab).
Hosts from each observatories will present commentary in the course of the occasion that can embrace discussions of Martian geology and historical past in addition to spaceflight missions to the Crimson Planet. If climate permits, the livestream will embrace dwell views of Mars at opposition from telescopes at each observatory websites.
The Digital Telescope Challenge livestream of the moon occulting Mars at opposition
The Virtual Telescope Project (opens in new tab) will host a free livestream of the moon occulting Mars at opposition. The published will start at 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday (0300 GMT on Dec. 9) and could be discovered on the project’s YouTube channel (opens in new tab).
What does it imply when Mars is at opposition?
When astronomers say {that a} planet is at opposition, it implies that the planet, Earth, and the sun are all in a straight line, with Earth within the center. This association implies that the planet is actually reverse the sun, therefore the time period “opposition,” making the planet seem brightly lit from our vantage level on Earth.
When the Crimson Planet is in opposition, it’s a lot brighter than typical and subsequently a lot simpler to see within the night time sky. This occasion solely occurs each 26 months, and the planet’s elliptical orbit means throughout some oppositions Mars is nearer to Earth than others.Â
Throughout this week’s opposition, Mars can be nearer to Earth than it will likely be till 2033. The Royal Astronomical Society has put collectively a great explainer (opens in new tab) on the occasion, together with the video beneath.
What’s a lunar occultation of Mars?
The phrase “occult” means to hide or conceal from view; when astronomers consult with an occultation, they imply an occasion by which one celestial object passes in entrance of one other from an observer’s perspective, hiding the item behind it. Within the case of this week’s lunar occultation of Mars, it implies that from Earth, the moon will seem to hide or “cowl up” the Crimson Planet. For a lot of viewers, Mars will disappear behind the moon for roughly an hour earlier than reemerging into view.Â
There are sufficient occultations all through any given yr that there’s an International Occultation Timing Association (opens in new tab) which offers detailed info comparable to actual places and occasions of different occultations.
The Griffith Observatory has published a video explainer (opens in new tab) of the occasion, discovered beneath.
Learn extra: What is an occultation?
Whether or not you are new to skywatching or have been it at for years, make sure to not miss our guides for the best binoculars and the best telescopes to view the occultation of Mars and different unbelievable issues within the night time sky. For capturing the perfect Mars or moon footage you possibly can, take a look at our suggestions for the perfect cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography.Â
Editor’s Notice: In the event you snap a fantastic picture of both Mars at opposition or the lunar occultation and wish to share it with Area.com’s readers, ship your picture(s), feedback, and your identify and placement to spacephotos@space.com.Â
