After what seems like a lifetime of waiting, Mars has finally
come to us to show off its red surface with white polar ice caps,
intricate networks of darkish patches and many of its mysteries in
what should turn out to be our best opportunity to view them.
It will certainly be the astronomical show of the year.
After what seems like a lifetime of waiting, Mars has finally come to us to show off its red surface with white polar ice caps, intricate networks of darkish patches and many of its mysteries in what should turn out to be our best opportunity to view them.
It will certainly be the astronomical show of the year.
About every two years the Red Planet comes very close to Earth. But this year, on Aug. 27, Mars will be nearer to the Earth than anytime since, oh, I don’t know, 10,000, 50,000 years, maybe even more. I guess it depends on which article you happen to be reading at the time and who wrote it. Some of these scientific computerized figures get off kilter just a little when they are working with such long time spans. But the figure most scientists are using is 50,000 years.
The only thing that we need to know is that Mars is coming pretty darn close to us this month. And that this is a very good chance for all of us to see Mars up close and more brilliant than ever before, or even for a long time in the future.
Mars will grow in size until at its largest, it will be more than half the size of Jupiter, and stay noticeably large until the end of September.
This window of opportunity for viewing is so small that you don’t want to waste any time because each night is a precious viewing opportunity.
If you are one of the lucky ones, and have your own telescope, invite your family and friends over on a clear night this month and show them the wonders of Mars. People will be more than exited to view Mars in person, and hear your thoughts and knowledge on the subject. But prepare them for the sight.
Unless you have a large telescope, there is no way your view will compete with the likes of the pictures everyone has been seeing in the media. It is best to downplay what they are about to look at. Then watch how they react when they look at the marveled wonder. Make sure you do your homework before that night of viewing. You will be surprised how educated people are on the subject of Mars, especially with all the hoop-la of late.
Be prepared to show off your skills and guide them to some of the other sights in the sky, maybe the Moon or even a globular cluster or two. You should practice earlier, like the night before, to be sure you know what you are saying and where to point your scope.
Don’t wait until the last minute. Early viewing in the month will most likely bring sharper looks than waiting until Mars approaches closer to the sun later on in the month. Rising heat can sometimes initiate a global dust storm on Mars and obscure the surface features.
So don’t let this event pass you by without looking at the Red Planet at least a couple times this month. You don’t want to have to wait another 50,000 years for Mars to show off again.
Constellation of the Month
The most dense and beautiful area of the Milky Way is shared between the two bright constellations Scorpius and Sagittarius.
Sagittarius is a group of stars you will notice immediately. It looks just like a tea pot, once someone points it out to you that is.
But ancient people saw an Archer, a man drawing a bow and arrow. In Latin, saggitta means “arrow.” He is supposed to be a centaur, a mythical beast, half man and half horse. The Archer is shooting his arrow at the scorpion’s heart (Antares). Near the tip of the arrow is the point that is thought to be the actual center of our Milky Way Galaxy.
It is odd that last month we talked about the constellation of Orion, where Orion was killed by the scorpion. Now, this month, we see Sagittarius, the Archer, trying to put an end to the scorpion. No one seems to be happy up there in the skies. Although, Cygnus the Swan seems to be happy, but nothing seems to be after it.
In this area of Scorpius and Sagittarius is one of the most beautiful patches of sky that we can view from our home base. All this thick part of the Milky Way is spotted with clusters of stars and nebulas.
Two famous ones, beautiful in a telescope, lie just down and right from the top star of Sagittarius’ bow: the Trifid Nebula and the Lagoon Nebula. All you really need is a good pair of binoculars to take advantage of this area.
Clear skies.
Dave Baumgartner is a Hollister resident and an avid amateur astronomer. His Sky Watch column appears each month.
August Sky Watch
Tuesday: First quarter Moon
Aug 6: Moon is closest to Earth (Perigee-229,555 miles)
Aug 12: Full Moon
Aug 13: Perseid meteor shower peaks
– Moon passes 1.9 degrees north of Mars
Aug 19: Last quarter Moon; Moon is farthest away from
Earth (Apogee-251,097 miles)
Aug 23: Moon passes 4 degrees north of Saturn
Aug 27: New Moon; Mars is closest to Earth
Aug 31: Moon is closest to Earth (Perigee-228, 618 miles)
