Mars reaches its �opposition� today, to be in straight line with Earth and Sun
GUWAHATI, Oct 12 - With a stunning bigger, brighter and fiery red appearance in the eastern sky, planet Mars will finally reach its �opposition� on October 13, during which this planet and the Sun will be positioned directly on opposite sides of Earth. Though the Red Planet made a close approach to Earth on October 6, its �opposition� tomorrow is on the watch list of space enthusiasts. This phenomenon won�t recur before 2035. The Guwahati Planetarium has made arrangements for telescopic observation of the celestial event from October 13 to 22 daily from 6 pm to 7 pm, observing social distancing norms.
Curator of the planetarium Babul Chandra Borah told The Assam Tribune that interested persons can come to the planetarium premises to have a closer look of the astronomical occurrence. �The Mars would be so bright in the eastern sky that it could be easily spotted even by laymen. Moreover, the phenomenon can be enjoyed with the naked eyes if the weather is clear. However, with the help of a telescope, we would be able to have a closer view of not just Mars, but also Jupiter and Saturn,� he added.
�Even now, Mars looks shiny red, bigger and brighter than usual. For nearly the entire month, space enthusiasts can spot it in the sky,� he added.
Mars oppositions happen about every 26 months. Every 15 or 17 years, opposition occurs within a few weeks of Mars� perihelion - the point in its orbit when it is closest to the Sun. An opposition can occur anywhere along Mars� orbit. When it happens while the Red Planet is closest to the Sun (called �perihelic opposition�), Mars is particularly close to Earth.
During opposition, Mars, Earth and the Sun are in a straight line, with Earth between the Sun and Mars.
�When Mars and Earth are close to each other, Mars appears very bright in our sky. It is also easier to see it with telescopes or the naked eye,� Borah added.
Meanwhile, though the Gauhati University astronomical observatory has no such plans for facilitating the viewing of Mars� opposition, one of its in-charges Dr Biman Medhi said that it would be a good opportunity for school students to witness the celestial event and familiarise themselves with the planetary motions and better understand Kepler�s Laws.
�Due to COVID protocol and some of our preoccupations, we have not made plans for telescopic viewing of the event,� Dr Medhi added.
As the Red Planet is putting on a show in the night sky, The Assam Tribune has invited space enthusiasts to click a picture of the planet and share it on Instagram or Twitter tagging @theassamtribune_official using the hashtag #SpotMarsWithAT. Three lucky winners would stand a chance to feature on the official handles of The Assam Tribune.
