Although Mars is relatively close to us (in astronomical distances,) it is not the easiest planet to get a good look at. This is mainly because Mars is a small planet, only about half the size of Earth. Right now though, it is prime viewing time for Mars. Whether you have only your eyes, or binoculars or a telescope, it will be the best chance since 1988 to view the red planet.

     Early astronomers peered through a telescope at Mars and saw dark areas which seemed to be connected with lines. A little reasoning and imagination turned the dark areas to seas and the lines to channels dug by Martians to carry water to wherever needed. Spacecraft sent to Mars revealed a barren, desolate world, prone to violent dust storms. There was little oxygen, no signs of liquid water and temperatures ranging from -29 degrees celsius in the afternoon to -84 degrees celsius at night. Ultraviolet radiation was so high it would kill any known form of life.
 
      But Mars is still a world of wonders. The two most distinguishing characteristics of Mars are a 24 km high volcano called Olympus Mons, and a 3220 km long canyon called Valle Marineri. This canyon is 26 times longer and three times deeper than our Grand Canyon!

      One Martian day is just slightly longer than one of our days. The Martian year is 687 of our days, so seasons are about twice as long as our seasons.

      The best time to view Mars is when the planet is at opposition, and some oppositions are better than others. A planet is at opposition when it  lies opposite the Sun as seen from Earth, meaning that the three would form a straight line with the Earth in between. Martian oppositions occur a little more than two years apart. But about every sixteen years, we get a few oppositions where Mars is also at a point in its orbit where it is closest to the Sun. These are the best viewing times.

     On June 13th, Mars will be at opposition, and on June 21st, Mars will be at its closest point in its orbit to the Sun. At this time, Mars will be unusually close to us, only 67 million km. Prime viewing time will be from May 13th to August 7th.  For observers everywhere, the red planet will be the highlight of the sky this spring and summer.

     One drawback to Mars viewing is the planet is far south in the zodiac. Mid latitude viewers such as ourselves will see Mars is the low southern sky where the seeing is poorest. Folks in the southern US will have much better views.

      Mars offers viewing challenges and delights to both binoculars and telescopes.  In a four inch telescope on a night of excellent seeing, you should be able to make out one or both of the planet's tiny, white polar caps or at least the polar cloud hoods, many dark surface markings (depending on which side of Mars is facing Earth at the time), limb hazes, occasional white clouds, and possibly signs of a moving dust storm. Binoculars (depending on strength) will show dark areas and possibly some other features.

      Go out around 11PM and look for Mars low in the southeast. It is impossible to miss this ruddy planet as it outshines all other planets and stars in the sky! Later, in June, Mars will be visible all night, but get an early start and see how Mars captures your imagination!
 

This article was originally published May 2001.

Constellations

The Solar System