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Credit & Copyright: John Chumack
Explanation:
What's that light at the end of the road?
Mars.
This is a good month to
point out Mars to your
friends and family because our
neighboring planet will not only be its
brightest in 15 years,
it will be visible for much of night.
During
this month,
Mars will be about 180 degrees around from the Sun,
and near the closest it ever gets to
planet Earth.
In terms of orbits, Mars is also
nearing the closest point to the Sun in its
elliptical orbit,
just as Earth moves nearly between it and the Sun -- an alignment known as
perihelic
opposition.
In terms of
viewing, orange Mars will rise in the east just as the
Sun sets in the west, on the opposite side of the sky.
Mars
will climb in the sky during the night, reach its highest near midnight, and then
set in the west just as the Sun begins to rise in the east.
The red planet was captured setting beyond a stretch
of road in
Arches National Park
in mid-May near
Moab, Utah,
USA.
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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: