Update for December 8th: You can see Mars at its best when it reaches opposition in several live streams online, including the one above, from the MacDonald Observatory. 9 PM EST (0200 GMT).
This week offers many opportunities to view the Red Planet.
The full moon will be on Wednesday (December 7). On Tuesday during an event called a lunar eclipse. And on Thursday (December 8) Mars will be in opposition, i.e. in the Earth, in the heavens, it is directly opposite the Sun. These events coincide with Mars’ near perihelion (closest point to Earth). It happened on November 30th.
A perfect storm of astronomical events means this is a great week to see Mars in the night sky, appearing larger and brighter than usual, and easy to spot near it. Cold full moon. Whether you have cloudy skies or can’t get outside, you’re still in luck: Thanks to numerous live streams online, there are plenty of chances to see Mars at its best this week.
Related: Mars opposition meets next week’s full moon (December 7). Here’s how to view it
Read more: December 2022 Full Moon: The cold moon loses to Mars
Here’s how to see Mars in person this week
Many parts of North America and parts of Europe and North Africa will see lunar eclipses 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, the full moon and Mars are approaching each other (in Europe, the event occurs before sunrise on December 8). Depending on the person’s location, the red planet will hide behind the moon and reappear an hour later.
Together, the sky and the telescope are a guide to when and where you can see Mars (Opens in a new tab)It will hide behind the moon during a lunar eclipse this week.
Live coverage of the Griffith Observatory’s lunar eclipse
At that day Wednesday (7 December)Griffith’s Laboratory in Los Angeles, California One free live stream on the Internet (Opens in a new tab) Lunar eclipse of Mars. Broadcast will start 9 p.m. EST (0200 GMT on Dec. 8)Weather permitting. Mars will set behind the moon 9:31 PM EST (0231 GMT) It reappears an hour later.
The observatory will also upload a time-lapse recording of the event on Thursday (December 8). 11 a.m. EST (1600 GMT).
MacDonald Mars Observatory in opposition
The MacDonald Observatory at the University of Texas at Austin, along with the Lowell Observatory in Arizona, will provide a live broadcast of Mars in opposition. Broadcasting begins Thursday (8 December). 9 p.m. EST (0200 GMT on Dec. 9) It can be found on the McDonald Observatory YouTube channel (Opens in a new tab).
Hosts from both observatories will provide commentary during the event, which will include discussions about the geography and history of Mars and space missions to the Red Planet. Weather permitting, the live feed will include live views of Mars facing the telescopes at both observatories.
A virtual lunar telescope project covering Mars in direct confrontation
The Virtual Telescope Project (Opens in a new tab) Provides a free live stream of the Moon occulting Mars at opposition. Broadcast will start Thursday 10 p.m. EST (0300 GMT on Dec. 9) The project can be seen on YouTube channel (Opens in a new tab).
What does it mean if Mars is opposite?
When astronomers say a planet is in opposition, it means that the planet, the Earth, and the Sun are all in the same straight line, in the middle of the Earth. The object of this arrangement is actually the planet Reverse The sun, hence the term “opposite”, illuminates the planet brightly from our perspective on Earth.
When the red planet is up, it’s brighter than usual, so it’s easier to see in the night sky. This event only occurs every 26 months, and the planet’s elliptical orbit is closer to Earth during some oppositions than others.
During this week’s opposition, Mars will be closest to Earth until 2033. Compiled by the Royal Astronomical Society Great explanation (Opens in a new tab) at the event, including the video below.
What is the lunar eclipse of Mars?
The word “obscure” means to hide or hide from view; When astronomers refer to a magical phenomenon, they refer to the phenomenon of a celestial body passing in front of another from the observer’s point of view, which obscures the body behind it. In the case of a Mars eclipse this week, this means that the moon will appear to hide or “block” the red planet from Earth. For many observers, Mars will disappear behind the Moon for about an hour before returning to view again.
There are enough skins throughout the year for the Twilight Society (Opens in a new tab) It provides detailed information such as the exact locations and timings of other disappearances.
There is a Griffith Lab posted an explanatory video (Opens in a new tab) For the event, they can be found below.
Read more: what is astrology?
Whether you’re new to observing the sky or have been watching it for years, don’t miss our guides for the best binoculars and these best binoculars. See the Martian cloud and other incredible things in the night sky. To take the best photos of Mars or the Moon, check out our recommendations for the best astrophotography tools and the best lenses for astrophotography.
Editor’s note: If you took a great photo of a Mars opposition or lunar eclipse and would like to share it with Space.com readers, send us your photo(s), comments, name, and location. [email protected].