During the month of December, Mars reaches opposition - a point that places the Earth directly between the planet and the Sun. And although this opposition wont be as close as the one 2 years ago, the planet is placed in a much. much better location in the sky - high up where atmospheric distortions and dimming are minimized. Most everyone is familiar with the constellation of Orion, the hunter. Mars is located above the hunter and can't be missed as it is glowing a bright red during the month. Its in a great location for anyone wanting to image the red planet. I may try myself later in the month if the weather cooperates.
So, with the combination of a fully illuminated Mars and a bright full moon, this year's occultation should be a real interesting event. Get those binoculars out and take a look. How long can you see Mars with the naked eye as the moon slowly encroaches on the planet before the moon's bright glow overpowers Mars' dimmer rusty red appearance? In areas where the planet will be completely covered, can you see it right up to disappearance? Mars makes it's closest approach to the Moon at about 10:50pm on December 7, 2022. Unlike star occultations where the star blinks out instantaneously (since stars are effectively just points of light due to their immense distance from us), planetary occultations take much longer as the moon gradually hides more and more of the planet's disk.
I've provided a sample view of what Mars and the moon may look like from Baltimore, Maryland, as well as a graphic of the path Mars takes behind the moon for various locations.
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| Mars and Moon from Baltimore - approximatly 10:50pm Dec 7, 2022 |
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| 2022, Sky and Telescope |
For details on the opposition of Mars, and additional info on the occultation, head on over to Sky and Telescope.
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