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Mars Opposition! Similar to “Mars Attacks” Without the Aliens

Mars will be the brightest and closest to Earth tonight in 15 years!

Mars next to Earth (https://mars.nasa.gov/all-about-mars/facts/)

If the planet Mars looks a little bigger and brighter tonight in the sky, it’s not just you. On October 13th, 2020, Mars will be in what is called “opposition”. That is when a planet is directly opposite the Sun in reference to the Earth.

The Earth will be between the Sun and Mars making it appear very bright tonight

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That places us in a perfect situation for viewing a much brighter and bolder looking Mars tonight. It will be visible without a telescope but using one will reveal a number of surface features that will be fully lit up with the Sun’s full light shining on the Red Planet. Another plus for stargazers tonight is that while Earth and Mars do not have the same orbit, Mars will also be closest to Earth this month, a mere ~ 40 million miles away. Mars will appear 7 times brighter than on a usual night! Basically, our next door neighbor saying hi for some coffee.

Mars has been closest to Earth over the past two weeks

Since Mars' orbit is larger and slower than Earth’s, this will be the brightest Mars in our night sky for the next two and a half years! There are many fun facts about Mars, including the fact that the effect of gravity on Mars is roughly a third of what it is on the Earth. Meaning if you weigh 100 pounds on Earth, you would only weigh 38 pounds on Mars! Talk about a weight loss program!

You will weigh a third of what you do on Mars!
You can make much larger leaps on Mars do to gravity's less impact

If you would like to learn more fun facts about our Red Planet neighbor, check out this great website from NASA: https://mars.nasa.gov/all-about-mars/facts/. There you’ll find fun facts and discover new things for you and your kids!


About the Author
Justin Stapleton headshot

Meteorologist, craft beer guru, dad to Maya and Ella and a sock and cheese addict.

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