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Credit & Copyright: Damian Peach
Explanation:
Since the distance from Earth to Mars changes drastically as
the planets orbit the Sun, Mars' appearance changes dramaticaly.
Mars is bright now, and it's getting closer and
brighter still as
it orbits toward its 2018 opposition and
closest approach to Earth in late July.
This sequence of sharp telescopic images records the Red Planet's
steady increase in apparent size for the months of
January (top left) through April.
During that time its distance from Earth went from 284 million
kilometers in January to 129 million kilometers in April,
and so its apparent size more than doubled.
At closest approach Mars will be about 58 million kilometers distant, more
than doubling in apparent size compared to the disk at the lower right.
By then it will rival the brightness
of Jupiter in planet Earth's
night sky, but don't believe the claims of the inevitable
internet hoax.
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January February March April May June July August September October November December |
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Mars
Publications with words: Mars
See also: