Astroblog: The Opposition of Mars was last night (Wedensday, 14 Octorber) but Don't Worry, it's still great

Thursday, October 15, 2020

The Opposition of Mars was last night (Wedensday, 14 Octorber) but Don't Worry, it's still great

Evening sky at 21:00 ACDST on Wednesday, October 14 facing east as seen from Adelaide. Mars is above the eastern horizon just above the Moon. Mars is at opposition, the best until 2033. more details here.

The variable start Mira is still visible to the unaided eye.

The inset shows the telescopic view of Mars at this time. Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time, click to embiggen.

Last night (Wednesday 14 October), was the opposition of Mars. I was too busy writing a lectureto get my scope out, so I had to content my self with briefly viewing the glowing red planet rising above the trees.Tonight it is raining of course.

But don't worry, Mars will be bright for some time, and a worthwhile telescopic object in even small telescopes for a couple of weeks. For more details and observing hints, see my Opposition of Mars page.

Comparison of Mars on the 14th of October (left) and the 22 nd (right). Mars is getting smaller over this time, but is still a worthwhile telescopic object.Of course small and modest telescopes will see something more like the inset above.

Labels: binocular, Mars, Opposition, telescope, unaided eye