This weekend, Mars will be at its closest proximity to Earth while reaching its zenith in the night sky.
On Sunday (Jan. 12), the Red Planet will approach Earth closely at 8:32 a.m. EST (13:32 GMT). This phenomenon, referred to as perigee, results in Mars appearing larger and more luminous than usual in the sky, providing an outstanding viewing chance for skywatchers, according to In-the-Sky.org.
Mars will become visible in New York City at approximately 5:43 p.m. EST (2243 GMT), rising to an elevation of 7 degrees over the horizon in the northeast. The Red Planet will ascend to its peak point, 74 degrees above the southern horizon, at 12:29 a.m. EST (0529 GMT) on Monday (Jan. 13), remaining visible for a large portion of the night until fading into the dawn light at around 6:58 a.m. EST (1158 GMT), as it shifts to 14 degrees above the northwest horizon.
During this close approach, Mars will traverse within 0.64 astronomical units (AU) of Earth while situated within the constellation Cancer. One AU represents the average distance from Earth to the sun, approximately 93 million miles (around 150 million kilometers).
Mars orbits the sun at an average distance of 1.5 AU, and at its apogee (the farthest point from Earth), it reaches a distance of 2.6 AU.
This weekend’s perigee positions Mars closer to Earth since 2022, when it came within 0.54 astronomical units (AU) of our world.
The close approach of Mars to Earth will also align with its opposition on Jan. 16, when Mars is positioned nearly directly across from the sun in the sky, with Earth in between.
These two occurrences — perigee and opposition — normally happen a few days apart, influenced by the orbits of both planets.
During perigee, Mars will achieve a maximum magnitude of -1.4, shining brightly in our night sky (lower and/or negative figures signify brighter celestial objects). While Mars will appear larger and more luminous during its close approach, it will still be perceived as a star-like spot of light without optical aids. Binoculars or a telescope will be necessary to discern details of the planet.
If you’re in search of binoculars or a telescope for observing Mars, our guides for the top binoculars and the top telescopes provide selections that might assist you. Be sure to also consult our guides for advice on how to capture images of the planets prior to Mars’ close approach.
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