2006-11-26 11:01:42 · 5 answers · asked by wafflehouse 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The Earth and Mars do not orbit the sun in perfect circles, they are ellipses.
So sometimes the Earth is closer to the sun than other times, and sometimes Mars is closer to the sun than other times.
So if the Earth is farther from the sun than normal at the same time Mars is closest to the sun, and this happens when both planets are on the same side of the sun, then we are closer to Mars than any other time and therefore we can see it better.
2006-11-26 13:48:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK. An opposition occurs when Sun, Earth, and Mars are aligned.The Earth and Mars each have elliptical orbits, and their orbital periods are different. A favorable opposition for viewing occurs when Mars is at the point in its orbit when it is nearest to the Sun and Earth is at the point in its orbit when it is farthest from the Sun. The Earth and Mars are then as close to each other as possible.
2006-11-27 12:47:06 · answer #2 · answered by JIMBO 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mars has a very elliptical orbit. This means that the distance from the earth to mars is larger for some oppositions than it is for others. The good ones are when they are close together.
2006-11-26 19:41:48 · answer #3 · answered by mathematician 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Favorable are the lack of variables and small atmosphere that allow for less distorted or twisted images, similar to space. It also is very beneficial for viewing because you do not have any city lights. The downsides include a less common set of knowledge relating to Mars including very small spheres on the ground along with general dirt in the air and the storms.
2006-11-26 19:12:05 · answer #4 · answered by nasajd 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
guess it depends on whether it is summer or winter (& hence how long the night is) in your hemisphere
2006-11-26 19:05:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋