We are really fortunate this May because we are experiencing four major Cosmic events in our corner of the sky, which I refer to as a quadruple whammy! And all I can say is WOW! First, Mercury took a 71/2 hour leisurely walk in front of the sun, and Jupiter changed directions, and now ,together in the sky, the newest and the brightest objects are … Mars and The Moon. And the red planet is creeping ever so closer to our pale blue dot.
If you looked up to the sky on May 21st, you saw a full moon. But this was not just any full moon. This moon is called a Blue Moon. No, the moon did not turn blue. According to the most popular definition, The Blue moon is the second of two full moons in the same calendar month. But wait, this May 21st full moon isn’t the second full moon in May. Actually, the May 21st full moon is the third of four full moons to fall in the same season!
For astronomers the definition of a season is the period of time between a solstice and an equinox or visa versa. And, the May 21st full moon is the third to take place between March 2016’a equinox and June 2016’s solstice.
That bright red light near the moon is Mars. It’s extreme brightness is a result of Mars’ orbit which is the closest Mars has been to earth since November 7, 2005. On May 22, 2016, Earth will pass between Mars and the Sun. This is called the Opposition of Mars, because Mars is opposite the Sun.
The Earth flies between Mars and the Sun every 2 years. Sometimes Mars in it’s orbit is far from the sun and sometimes Mars is close to the sun in it’s orbit. Mars’ Opposition is extremely variable because, unlike Earth whose orbit is nearly circular, Mars has an eccentric oblong orbit that brings Mars 26 million miles farther from the sun at it’s farthest point which is called aphelion, than it’s closest point called the perihelion. This is the reason why the distance of Mars varies, even though Earth flies between Mars and the Sun every two years. Sometimes it occurs when Mars is far from the sun in it’s orbit-sometimes it occurs when Mars is close.
It is obvious that a perihelion (closest to the sun in orbit called a perihelic opposition) will be more magnificent than an opposition aphelion (the furthest from the sun in orbit). The cycle of close or far Mars’ oppositions is about fifteen years long.
In 2018, the when next Mars opposition occurs, Mars will be even closer to the sun, and therefore, the show Mars will perform in 2018 will even outperform the 2016 opposition. The angular size of Mars’ disk during perihelic opposition is nearly twice (2x) the size as large and the brightness of Mars is nearly five times (5x) as great than it is at aphelic opposition.
On Opposition Day, Mars is visible in our sky within a triangle pattern, Mars, Saturn, and Antares marking it’s corners. In opposition, Mars shines 7x more brightly than Saturn and 17x more brightly than Antares. And, eight days after the opposition event, the orbits of Earth and Mars will bring the planets another half a million miles closer together, which is the closest they’ve been in 11 years.
I hope you will all go out and look up to see Mars Opposition. Usually Mars is rather dim in our sky. This event gives you a chance to see the Red Planet in all it’s glory. Just look for the brightest object in our sky! It’s shining bright and of course it is red!
You’re Awesome!
We love visiting with you!
We miss you already!
xoxoxo
Sookie and Sylvie
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