This week gives a superb alternative to view Mars within the night time sky because it places on fairly a present for observers on Earth.
This week, the Pink Planet is at opposition, that means it kinds a straight line with Earth and the sun, with Earth within the center. On this alignment, Mars will seem brighter than normal and be a lot simpler to see within the sky. Mars is at opposition simply as soon as each 26 months. Along with being at opposition, this week may even see a lunar occultation of Mars on Wednesday night (Dec. 7). An occultation is an occasion wherein one object seems to cross behind one other within the sky, utterly disappearing from view. On this case, Mars will disappear behind the moon and reappear an hour later.Â
The lunar occultation of Mars will start shortly after sunset on Wednesday for viewers in North America, whereas skywatchers in Europe and components of North Africa will have the ability to witness the spectacle shortly earlier than dawn within the morning hours of Thursday (Dec. 8). If you happen to’re unable to get exterior throughout that point or if skies in your space are cloudy, you possibly can watch the lunar occultation of Mars on-line without spending a dime, courtesy of a number of webcasts from observatories world wide. If situations in your space are proper to see the occasion in particular person, try our tables under on optimum viewing instances based mostly in your location.
Associated: Mars at opposition will meet up with the full moon next week (Dec. 7). Here’s how to see it
The lunar occultation of Mars shall be seen for many of North America, Europe and some areas in northern Africa and the Center East. Sky & Telescope has put collectively a radical guide on the event (opens in new tab), together with the map under exhibiting viewing areas and tough instances for viewing the occultation of Mars.Â
The desk under lists the instances of Mars’ disappearance and reappearance from behind the moon as seen from numerous areas all through North America. These instances can fluctuate significantly. For instance, if Mars passes behind the moon’s bigger central space out of your vantage level, it might be lined for an hour or extra. But when the Pink Planet slides behind the moon’s decrease edge, it might be lined for lower than a half hour. Disappearance and reappearance instances listed under are for Mars’ heart. Â
The desk under supplies particular occultation viewing instances for 27 chosen cities in the US and Canada. For instances with an asterisk (*), the calendar date is Dec. 8.
| Location | Time zone | Mars disappears | Mars reappears |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juneau | AKST | 6:19 p.m. | 6:55 p.m. |
| Los Angeles | PST | 6:30 p.m. | 7:30 p.m. |
| San Francisco | PST | 6:34 p.m. | 7:35 p.m. |
| Seattle | PST | 6:51 p.m. | 7:50 p.m. |
| Vancouver | PST | 6:55 p.m. | 7:52 p.m. |
| Tucson | MST | 7:32 p.m. | 8:27 p.m. |
| Las Vegas | MST | 7:34 p.m. | 8:35 p.m. |
| Salt Lake Metropolis | MST | 7:41 p.m. | 8:46 p.m. |
| Denver | MST | 7:44 p.m. | 8:48 p.m. |
| Helena | MST | 7:51 p.m. | 8:56 p.m. |
| Edmonton | MST | 8:04 p.m. | 9:06 p.m. |
| Yellowknife | MST | 8:23 p.m. | 9:16 p.m. |
| Whitehorse | MST | 8:25 p.m. | 8:57 p.m. |
| Tulsa | CST | 8:54 p.m. | 9:41 p.m. |
| Kansas Metropolis | CST | 8:56 p.m. | 9:52 p.m. |
| Austin | CST | 8:57 p.m. | 9:12 p.m. |
| Saskatoon | CST | 9:03 p.m. | 10:10 p.m. |
| Winnipeg | CST | 9:05 p.m. | 10:16 p.m. |
| Chicago | CST | 9:10 p.m. | 10:04 a.m. |
| Memphis | CST | 9:14 p.m. | 9:29 p.m. |
| Churchill | CST | 9:22 p.m. | 10:31 p.m. |
| Louisville | EST | 10:21 p.m. | 10:47 p.m. |
| Toronto | EST | 10:29 p.m. | 11:17 p.m. |
| Montreal | EST | 10:40 p.m. | 11:29 p.m. |
| Quebec Metropolis | EST | 10:45 p.m. | 11:36 p.m. |
| Halifax | AST | 12:15 a.m.* | 12:33 a.m.* |
| Gander | NST | 12:47 a.m.* | 1:37 a.m.* |
Even in case you are exterior of the viewing space for the occultation, you’ll nonetheless have the ability to see the moon and Mars in a detailed method of each other often called an appulse.Â
The desk under supplies instances and areas for Mars’ closest method to the decrease fringe of the moon through the occasion. Separation between Mars and the moon’s decrease edge is given by way of minutes of arc. (The obvious width of the moon on Dec. 7 is 30 arc minutes.)
For instances with an asterisk (*), the calendar date is Dec. 8.
| Location | Time zone | Closest method | Separation |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans | CST | 9:11 p.m. | 3 arc min. |
| Huntsville | CST | 9:23 p.m. | 1 arc min. |
| Miami | EST | 10:16 p.m. | 11 arc min. |
| Jacksonville | EST | 10:23 p.m. | 7 arc min. |
| Atlanta | EST | 10:26 p.m. | 3 arc min. |
| Columbia | EST | 10:31 p.m. | 4 arc min. |
| Knoxville | EST | 10:31 p.m. | 1 arc min. |
| Charlotte | EST | 10:36 p.m. | 3 arc min. |
| Norfolk | EST | 10:46 p.m. | 4 arc min. |
| Washington | EST | 10:46 p.m. | 2 arc min. |
| Philadelphia | EST | 10:51 p.m. | 1 arc min. |
| New York | EST | 10:56 p.m. | 1 arc min. |
| Boston | EST | 11:01 p.m. | 0.6 arc min. |
| San Juan | AST | 11:51 p.m. | 23 arc min. |
| Hamilton | AST | 12:06 a.m.* | 11 arc min. |
If you happen to miss the lunar occultation of Mars on Dec. 7, you may have to attend till January 2025 for the subsequent one, so even if you cannot make it exterior, ensure that to observe Mars at opposition cross behind the moon in one of many free livestreams available online.
If you happen to’re an avid skywatcher and even if you happen to’re simply getting began, ensure that to learn 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 one of the best footage of Mars or the moon you can, do not miss our suggestions for one of the best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography.Â
Editor’s Be aware: If you happen to snap an incredible photograph of both Mars at opposition or the lunar occultation and want to share it with Area.com’s readers, ship your photograph(s), feedback, and your title and placement to spacephotos@space.com.Â
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