On Wednesday (Dec. 7), skywatchers all over the world had been handled to a celestial present because the full moon eclipsed Mars within the night time sky.
The occasion, often called a lunar occultation, refers to 1 celestial physique — on this case, Mars — showing to vanish or disguise behind one other — on this case, the moon . This occultation was notably noteworthy as a result of Mars was at opposition, which means Earth was immediately between it and the sun, making the Purple Planet seem notably vivid within the night time sky.
Final night time’s occultation of Mars by the full Cold Moon
Associated: Mars at opposition will meet up with the full moon next week (Dec. 7). Here’s how to see it
View of the final full moon of 2022 by Christmas lights in San Salvador, El Salvador. (Picture credit score: Camilo Freedman/SOPA Pictures/LightRocket through Getty Pictures)
As well as, skywatchers all over the world have been posting beautiful photos of the lunar occultation of Mars on social media, providing a take a look at one of many 12 months’s most-watched celestial occasions.
Astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy caught Mars and the full moon (opens in new tab) in a good looking close-up:
Spaceflight photographer John Kraus caught a stunning shot of Mars (opens in new tab) because it appeared behind the moon following occultation:
Beginner astrophotographer Tom Williams produced a beautiful picture of the moon and Mars by combining a number of pictures, and supplied an explanation of how he made the image (opens in new tab) on Twitter.
Beginner astronomer and photographer Tom Glenn produced a breathtaking image of Mars (opens in new tab) rising above the moon by stacking 15 completely different {photograph} frames.
Astronomer and science communicator Phil Plait caught Mars creeping behind the moon (opens in new tab) simply previous to occultation.
The lunar occultation of Mars by the total Chilly Moon was notably noteworthy as a result of the Purple Planet solely seems at opposition each 26 months, so the following opposition will not happen till January 2025.
Mars was additionally particularly near Earth throughout this occasion, which occurred whereas the planet was at perigee, or its closest level to Earth in its orbit. In keeping with NASA, Mars and Earth will not be this shut for one more 215 years, till 2237.
Comply with Brett on Twitter at @bretttingley (opens in new tab) . Comply with us on Twitter @Spacedotcom (opens in new tab) or on Facebook (opens in new tab) .
