So did you see Mars tonight?

[Krug]

So did you see Mars in the night sky as it moved the closest it's been in 60,000 years?

 

[Krieg]

So did you see Mars in the night sky? If not might be another 20,000 years before you'll see it again!

Umm, you can see Mars on just about any clear night. It just won't be as bright for quite some time.

 

[Greybar]

[looks into sky]
Mars is bright tonight...

/HarryPotterReference

 

[CarlZog]

So did you see Mars in the night sky? If not might be another 20,000 years before you'll see it again!

Sure, you'll see it again. You just won't see it quite as big. From now through the rest of the year, Mars is visible at some point at night. Next spring through next fall though, it will be mostly blinded by the sun.

The big deal is how close it is. 10:00 GMT on Wednesday, Aug. 27 marks the planet's closest approach to earth, so depending on where you live, last night and tonight are the best viewing times.


CZ

 

[cildarith]

Mars can be seen at opposition (directly opposite the sun, and thus well placed for viewing) every two years. Due to its somewhat elliptical orbit, Mars experiences a favorable opposition (such as the current one) every thirteen years or so. The last one was in 1988 and the next one will be in 2016. At a favorable opposition the planet will be about the same size and brightness as it is now, any differences being too slight to detect with the eye. This week the planet is a few km closer than it has been in 60,000 years or will be for another 20,000, but those few km are fairly trivial.

 

[Desdichado]

So did you see Mars in the night sky? If not might be another 20,000 years before you'll see it again!

As below; you can see Mars just about any old time. I didn't see it last night (cloudy over Detroit) but I saw it over the weekend. I imagine it looks about the same still.

 

[Chain Lightning]

msn.com has a nice article on Mars. Go to the link below , hit complete story and click on the slide show on the left of the page. I believe pic number seven shows you what the face on Mars really looks like.


Link:http://64.4.14.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_...__action=http://www.msnbc.com/news/957424.asp

 

[der_kluge]

My new telescope is being delivered today. Hopefully I'll be able to set it up and view Mars tonight. I'm having a Mars-viewing party Friday night.

 

[Crothian]

We had storms last night and again today, so I doubt I'll get a good view.

 

[Dr. Harry]

As below; you can see Mars just about any old time. I didn't see it last night (cloudy over Detroit) but I saw it over the weekend. I imagine it looks about the same still.

The trick is seeing it when it is clear on both planets. When Mars is at its closest to the Sun (about now; that's what's up with the whole "closest approach in 60,000 years"), the thin atmosphere is susceptable to sandstorms that can cover (and obscure) half the planet.

I was part of a Mars observing night last night, though, and it was an exceptionally good view.