CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Now’s the time to catch Mars in the night sky.
Mars is already brighter than usual; however it will shine even more – and also appear bigger – as Tuesday nears. Next week, the red planet is making its closest approach to Earth in 15 years, with the two planets just 35.8 million miles apart on Tuesday. Contrary to some popular hoaxes, it won’t appear as big as the moon, but it will still make for great night viewing, which astronomers expect to continue through early August.
However, a massive dust storm currently engulfing Mars is obscuring surface details normally visible through telescopes. The Martian atmosphere is so full of dust that NASA’s Opportunity rover can’t recharge – not enough sunlight can reach its solar panels – and so it’s been silent since June 10. Flight controllers don’t expect to hear from 14-year-old Opportunity until the storm subsides, and maybe not even then.
The good news about all the Martian dust is that it reflects sunlight, which makes for an even brighter red planet, said Widener University astronomer Harry Augensen.
“It’s magnificent. It’s as bright as an airplane landing light. Not quite as bright as Venus, but still because of the reddish, orange-ish-red color, you really can’t miss it in the sky.”
In 2003, Mars and Earth were the closest in nearly 60,000 years – 34.6 million miles. NASA said that won’t happen again until 2287. The next close approach, meanwhile, in 2020, will be 38.6 million miles, according to the agency.
Observatories across the U.S. are hosting Mars-viewing events next week. Los Angeles’ Griffith Observatory will provide a live online view of Mars early Tuesday.
In addition to Tuesday’s event, on Aug. 3, Mars will be in opposition.
That means Mars and the sun will be on exact opposite sides of Earth. That same day, parts of the world – unfortunately none in North America – will see a total lunar eclipse
The total lunar eclipse on Friday will be visible in Australia, Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the sun, Earth and moon line up perfectly, casting Earth’s shadow on the moon. Friday’s will be long, lasting 1 hour and 43 minutes.
Written by MARCIA DUNN, AP Aerospace Writer.
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