Watch Mars in opposition pass behind the Moon this week in this free online broadcast
This week offers multiple opportunities for a great look at the Red Planet.
On Wednesday (December 7), the full moon will be in close proximity to bright Mars during an event known as a lunar occultation. And on Thursday (December 8), Mars will be in opposition, which means that in Earth’s sky, it will be found directly opposite the sun. These events also coincide with Mars’ near perihelion (its closest point to Earth), which happened on November 30th.
The perfect storm of astronomical events means this is a great week for viewing Mars in the night sky, as it appears larger and brighter than usual and makes it easy to spot next to the cool moon. And even if you have cloudy skies or can’t get out, you’re still in luck: There are plenty of chances to see Mars at its best this week thanks to several free live streams online.
Related: Mars in opposition will meet with the full moon next week (December 7). Here’s how to see it
Read more: December 2022 Full Moon: The cold moon obscures Mars
How do you see Mars in person this week?
In many parts of North America, Europe, and some parts of North Africa, the occultation of the Moon will be visible in the night sky on December 7 and December 8.
The spectacle begins about an hour after sunset in the constellation Taurus on December 7 for North American skywatchers as the full moon and Mars approach each other (in Europe, the event will occur before sunrise on December 8). Depending on the person’s location, the red planet will then disappear behind the Moon before reappearing an hour later.
Sky and Telescope have put together a guide on when and where you can see Mars (Opens in a new tab)It hides behind the Moon this week during a lunar occultation.
Griffith Observatory live broadcast of the disappearance of Mars on the lunar surface
On Wednesday (December 7), the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, California will host a free live webcast (Opens in a new tab) From the occultation of Mars on the moon. Streaming will begin at 9:00 PM EST (0200 GMT on December 8), weather permitting. Mars will disappear behind the Moon at 9:31 PM EST (0231 GMT) and reappear one hour later.
The observatory will also upload a time recording of the event on Thursday (December 8) at 11:00 AM EDT (1600 GMT).
McDonald’s Observatory live broadcast of Mars in Opposition
The MacDonald Observatory at the University of Texas at Austin, in conjunction with the Lowell Observatory in Arizona, will host a live broadcast of Mars in opposition. The broadcast begins Thursday (December 8) at 9:00 PM EST (0200 GMT on December 9) and can be found on the McDonald’s Watch YouTube channel. (Opens in a new tab).
Hosts from both observatories will provide commentary during the event, which will include discussions about the geology and history of Mars as well as spaceflight missions to the Red Planet. Weather permitting, the live feed will include live views of Mars against opposition from telescopes at both observatory sites.
The Virtual Telescope project is the live broadcast of the Moon obscuring Mars at opposition
Virtual Telescope Project (Opens in a new tab) You will be hosting a free live stream of the Moon occulting Mars at opposition. The broadcast will begin at 10:00 PM EST Thursday (0300 GMT on December 9) and can be found on the project’s YouTube channel. (Opens in a new tab).
What does it mean when Mars is in opposition?
When astronomers say that there is a planet in opposition, it means that the planet, the Earth, and the Sun are all in a straight line, and the Earth is in the middle. This arrangement literally means the planet Reverse The sun, hence the term “opposition,” which makes the planet appear brightly lit from our vantage point on Earth.
When the Red Planet is in opposition, it is brighter than usual and therefore easier to see in the night sky. This event only occurs every 26 months, and the planet’s elliptical orbit means that during some oppositions Mars is closer to Earth than others.
During this week’s opposition, Mars will be closer to Earth than it will be until 2033. The Royal Astronomical Society has put together a fascinating explanation (Opens in a new tab) About the event, including the video below.
What is Mars lunar occultation?
The word “obscure” means to hide or hide from view; When astronomers refer to a magical state, they mean an event in which one celestial body passes in front of another from the perspective of the observer, and hides behind it. In the event of a lunar occultation of Mars this week, this means that from Earth, the moon will appear to hide or “cover” the red planet. For many viewers, Mars will disappear behind the Moon for about an hour before reappearing.
There are enough absences over the course of any given year that the International Absence Timing Association exists (Opens in a new tab) which provides detailed information such as exact locations and other occultation times.
The Griffith Observatory has posted an explanation video (Opens in a new tab) From the event, found below.
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Whether you’re new to skywatching or have been at it for years, be sure not to miss our guides for the best binoculars and the best telescopes for watching obscured Mars and other amazing objects in the night sky. To take the best photos of Mars or the Moon, check out our recommendations for the best cameras for astrophotography and the best lenses for astrophotography.
Editor’s note: If you took a great photo of Mars in opposition or moon occultation and would like to share it with Space.com readers, submit your photo(s), comments, name, and location to spacephotos@space.com.
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