The moon will occult Mars this week, and you can watch Mars vanish behind the satellite.
Early December will host a unique celestial interplay between the synodic month and Mars .
On the night of December 7 , the moon will eclipse – or pass in front of – Marsin the night sky . The red planet will approach the moon and go away behind it before come along on the other side of the moon early in the eventide across the US .
Lunar eclipse are not exceptionally rare . However , each occultation is only visible from a little portion of the Earth ’s airfoil . So , while eclipse happen throughout the year , that does not intend you will have the chance to see many of them that are make place . Plus , this clock time , Mars will slide behind a full lunar month .
Christophe Lehenaff / Moment / via Getty Images
The eclipse will be seeable in parts of the Americas , Europe , and northern Africa . This mapand the one above from NASA show the exact expanse where the occultation can be seen . The majority of the US will be able to view the event , with the exclusion of theatrical role of the east coast and the southeast .
NASA ’s Jet Propulsion Laboratoryprovided these times to show when Mars will disappear and reappear this night .
The whole upshot will be seeable to the naked eye . Though , you may get a gorgeous view of the planet with a telescope or even binoculars.Spaceweather.comsays , " Even modest backyard telescopes will unwrap details on the Martian surface partially eclipsed by lunar hatful and volcanic crater flange . "
The event comes just as Mars is reaching opposition . Over the last week or so , the major planet has been at its largest in the night sky for the year . It is a great night to get out and enjoya little stargazing .
Ready to go stargazing?
Here are allthe estimable stargazing eventsthat you may get out and see this month or you could last out in astream the northerly lightsfrom home plate . If you ’re just getting set forth , check out ourguide to uranology for beginnersoreasy stargazing route trips from big US cities .
Via NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory YouTube
