Mars is the only planet in our solar system that you can clearly see from space with a small telescope or even with your naked eyes. You can view Mars fairly easily when it is in the night sky and see a verity of different things depending on how good your telescope or eyesight is, or where Mars is located compared to the earth and what the planet surface is doing. Most likely you will be able to see the contrast in dark and light colors on the planet that represent the darker cratered terrain in the south and the lighter smooth plains in the north. If you own a small telescope or even if you do not and are interested in viewing the red planet to see if it is really red then June 2007 through April 2008 are the prime Mars observing months. Mars is still a morning planet for most of 2007 until it reaches opposition on December 24. The best time to view Mars will be in the hours after it rises, when it is the highest in the sky. Once December rolls around you should wait to view Mars until the middle of the evening or early morning to experience the best views the planet has to offer. Merry Christmas! Here is a site with the months of the year and the best time to view Mars during these months.
http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/allabout/nightsky/viewing-tips-2007.html
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment