Re: Mars

Okay folks, let me try to put this all together.

Mars was at a very favorable opposition in August of 2003. It will be
at opposition again around the end of October, beginning of November
2005. Opposition is the time when Earth overtakes Mars in its orbit.
That means Mars will be high in the sky around midnight and opposite
from the sun (hence, "in opposition). If you want to observe mars,
near opposition is the best time. This will be a good time to observe
Mars with a small telescope, especially since the end of November
usually produces some crisp, cool nights with very good "seeing."

However, all oppositions are not created equal, because the orbits of
both Earth and Mars are somewhat elliptical. . Earth is actially a
little further from the sun during July. Last opposition, Earth was
near aphelion (farthest from the sun) at about the same time Mars was
at perihelion (closest to the sun). So this was already a favorable
opposition for observing Mars. In addition, perturbations in Mars'
orbit caused by Jupiter meant its perihelion was even closer than
usual.

The 2005 opposition will still be good (Earth is still somewhat
farther from the sun and Mars somewhat nearer than average) but not as
good as 2003.

The original email that circulated in 2003 claimed that at opposition
Mars at 75 power in a telescope would be as large as the full moon
with the naked eye. That statement is factually correct, but still
very misleading. For most small telescopes, 75 power is way beyond the
useful magnification. So using a small telescope to view Mars at 75
power would produce a jiggery orange blob. Not very impressive. Mars
will be farther away this opposition, so to get the same effect, you
might have to go to 100 power. That would produce an even blurrier
orange blob.

Hope this helps.


Elliot Richmond
Freelance Science Writer and Editor
.

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