Get a Great View of Mars in the Next Few Weeks!

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/03/mars-closest-approach/

You will be able to view it with your naked eye, or if you have a telescope, you will be able to see surface details!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by F, Calla & Luca on March 2, 2012 at 2:29pm

I will look for Mars. I actually saw Venus, Juptier and the nearby moon last wekk. I often find that I can't see what the gurus are describing but this looks like it will be fine with the naked eye.

Permalink Reply by Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle on March 2, 2012 at 2:47pm

I have the same problem so I hope you're right!

This is probably a very dumb question, but would high-powered binoculars help to see it better at all?

Permalink Reply by Camilla and Darwin on March 2, 2012 at 2:51pm

I do think it will yes. Probably not enough to see surface details, but you will definitely be able to see it better. The only trouble I see is being able to find it while you are looking into the binoculars. That can be hard with small looking objects. Hopefully since it's a planet and orange it will be easier to spot.

Just looking at the moon with binoculars is astounding in the difference you see.

Permalink Reply by Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle on March 2, 2012 at 2:54pm

Thanks, Camilla, now I'm going to hope for very clear skies!

Permalink Reply by F, Calla & Luca on March 2, 2012 at 3:03pm

Funny, I don't think so but go know. The focal length of binoculars is too short I think but optics are not my specialty : ) Someone else can investigate this. I've exhausted my brain power on pancreatitis today.

Permalink Reply by F, Calla & Luca on March 2, 2012 at 3:06pm

Okay, good thing I qualified it. I was totally wrong and, of course, I couldn't resist looking it up. I love Google:

http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/top-tips-for-using-ordinar...

Permalink Reply by Linda and Murphy on March 3, 2012 at 1:52pm

Thanks Camilla. I just hope for a clear sky now.

Permalink Reply by F, Calla & Luca on March 4, 2012 at 8:14am

Someone remind us please when we should be looking.

Permalink Reply by Camilla and Darwin on March 4, 2012 at 12:04pm

Starting March 5th, then for the next few weeks.

"To spot Mars with your naked eye, look for a bright orange-red dot in the eastern sky shortly after the sun sets. The planet, which can be distinguished from stars because it doesn't twinkle, will rise to its highest position in the southern sky around midnight."

Permalink Reply by F, Calla & Luca on March 4, 2012 at 12:06pm

Thanks Camilla. I'm going to write a note to myself for tomorrow.

Permalink Reply by Jennifer,Chloe & Myla on March 5, 2012 at 12:45pm