![]() ![]() At magnitude - 1.72 around opposition date, Mars dominates Taurus, the constellation it currently resides in, making Aldebaran (chief star in the Bull and also of orange hue) seem pale in comparison. The Red Planet reaches a maximum declination on Dec 6th, 60 degrees or so above the South horizon. By midnight Mars will be located high to the south, setting in the west as dawn breaks. In the sky Mars is noticeable as soon as dusk falls when it lies in the east. Oppositions of Mars distances (Click for larger image) credit Skynews Its angular size varies by a factor of more than seven, between 25.69" and 3.49" For the 2022 opposition Mars is actually closest to Earth on December 1st some 81 million km (52 million miles) but does not reach opposition (when opposite the Sun in the sky) until December 8th at 05:35hrsUT - when bizarrely it won't be visible from the UK at all!, but more on that shortly. Indeed of all the planets, Mars shows the greatest variation in its apparent size and brightness. Due to the eccentricity of Mars's orbit (6 times more oval shaped than Earth's) its separation from Earth varies considerably at oppositions, from 54 million km (34 million miles) to 101 million km (63 million miles). Mars is the next planet out from Earth which accounts for its 780 day interval between oppositions. It is the only other planet that we can directly view the surface in relatively close order, at times a surface which is less than 34 million miles (52 million km) distant. People are, and have been fascinated with the Martian world for well over a century, in science fiction works, films and scientifically. ![]() People are more aware of the growth in brightness of Mars as it approaches opposition, a highly conspicuous ochre presence to the naked eye, which carries a mystique other planets do not conjure up. Of all the planets that come to opposition Mars is the one to spark interest for amateur astronomers and to some extent the general public. Mars - the Red Planet comes to opposition on December 8th, over two years since it last did so. Jupiter is a treat to observe, Saturn sinks into SW, Venus and Mercury may be glimpsed at the end of the month. December is a busy month: Mars comes to opposition and is occulted by the Moon, as is distant Uranus. ![]()
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