Mars making closest approach to Earth in 15 years

World Today

FILE – This image made available by NASA shows the planet Mars. This composite photo was created from over 100 images of Mars taken by Viking Orbiters in the 1970s. On Tuesday, July 31, 2018, the red planet will make its closest approach to Earth in 15 years. (NASA via AP)

Now’s the time to catch Mars in the night sky.

Next week, the red planet is making its closest approach to Earth in 15 years, and can be see with the naked eye.

The two planets will be just 35.8 million miles (57.6 million kilometers) apart next Tuesday. And on this Friday, Mars will be in opposition–meaning that Mars and the sun will be on exact opposite sides of the Earth. And on next Friday, Mars will make its closest approach to Earth since 2003.

On July 31, Mars will make it closest approach to Earth in 15 years.

Mars is already brighter than usual and will shine even more— and appear bigger — as Tuesday nears. Astronomers expect good viewing through early August.

A massive dust storm presently engulfing Mars, however, is obscuring surface details normally visible through telescopes. The Martian atmosphere is so full of dust that NASA’s Opportunity rover can’t recharge — not enough sunlight can reach its solar panels — and so it’s been silent since June 10. Flight controllers don’t expect to hear from 14-year-old Opportunity until the storm subsides, and maybe not even then.

The good news about all the Martian dust is that it reflects sunlight, which makes for an even brighter red planet, said Widener University astronomer Harry Augensen.

“It’s magnificent. It’s as bright as an airplane landing light,” Augensen said. “Not quite as bright as Venus, but still because of the reddish, orange-ish-red color, you really can’t miss it in the sky.”

In 2003, Mars and Earth were the closest in nearly 60,000 years — 34.6 million miles (55.7 million kilometers). NASA said that won’t happen again until 2287. The next close approach, meanwhile, in 2020, will be 38.6 million miles (62 million kilometers), according to NASA.

Observatories across the U.S. are hosting Mars-viewing events next week. Los Angeles’ Griffith Observatory will provide a live online view of Mars early Tuesday. 


On July 27, parts of the world will see a total lunar eclipse

The total lunar eclipse this Friday will be visible in Australia, Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the sun, Earth and moon line up perfectly, casting Earth’s shadow on the moon. Friday’s will be long, lasting 1 hour and 43 minutes.

See NASA’s animation below of a total lunar eclipse from the moon.


Take a look at this video from NASA to learn what is happening in July this year.