Click here to enlarge

image credit & copyright: John Chumack



what's that light at the end of the road ?

- Mars


this is a good month to point out Mars to your friends and family because our neighboring planet will not only be its brightest in 15 years, it will be visible for much of night

during this month, Mars will be about 180º degrees around from the Sun, and near the closest it ever gets to planet Earth

in terms of orbits, Mars is also nearing the closest point to the Sun in its elliptical orbit, just as Earth moves nearly between it and the Sun -- an alignment known as perihelic opposition

in terms of viewing, orange Mars will rise in the east just as the Sun sets in the west, on the opposite side of the sky

Mars will climb in the sky during the night, reach its highest near midnight, and then set in the west just as the Sun begins to rise in the east

the red planet was captured setting beyond a stretch of road in Arches National Park in mid-May near Moab, Utah, USA



annotated photo: Click here to enlarge
































in apod.nasa.gov/apod