Stargazing: Mars is getting closer and brighter
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Since the beginning of January, Mars has dramatically doubled in brightness and will double again in February from magnitude --0.5 to --1.2. The latter figure is the maximum brightness of the Red Planet when it goes into opposition on March 3. Mars' westward or retrograde motion against the starry background has also accelerated the rate it rises in the evening sky. The fire-colored planet currently rises at 8 p.m., but it will rise by 6:30 p.m. at month's end.
Mars is getting brighter for the simple reason that it's getting closer to Earth. The two terrestrial worlds have been converging for months and on March 3, Mars and the Earth will be just 63 million miles apart.
After rising above the eastern horizon around 8 tonight, Mars will climb to about 25 degrees above the horizon by 10 p.m. Look for Mars beneath the triangle of stars that form the hindquarters of Leo, the lion. One clenched fist held out toward the horizon equals about 10 degrees.
First Published February 13, 2012 12:00 am
