I need to know the average percent visibility of Mars of each month please. Or maybe just a website that has that information.
2007-12-17 10:54:39 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
On Tuesday, December 18
Mars is at its closest to Earth, passing 54,783,000 miles (88,165,000 km) from Earth at 7 p.m. EST. It will be visible low in the eastern sky.
The two web sites below have great information on astronomical happenings. The second one requires you to establish an ID and password (free), but once you do, it will even give you very precise information on satellites passing overhead at the location of your choice, as well as star charts with locations of planets, etc.
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/ataglance
http://www.heavens-above.com/logon.asp?TimeOut=True
2007-12-17 11:10:57 · answer #1 · answered by F. Frederick Skitty 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The overall percent visibility of Mars in each month is about 8% for all months, because Mars is visible most of the time, and the times it isn't visible average out over the years, since Mars' position has absolutely nothing to do with Earth's calendar. The best times to observe Mars are when it is close to opposition to the Earth; in other words, when the Sun, Earth, and Mars are more or less in a straight line. These oppositions occur once every 26 months, and the next one is on 2007 December 24. So right now through February 2008 is one of the best times to observe Mars. The next opposition will be on 2010 January 29, but Mars will be much farther away from Earth then than it is now.
2007-12-17 19:14:16 · answer #2 · answered by GeoffG 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Mars is always visible, except for a few weeks either side of conjunction. The date of conjunction changes, according to the orbits of Earth and Mars.
Mars is only worth observing at opposition. This is at intervals of a little over two years.
You might want to reconsider what you're asking, because I'm not sure just what you're looking for.
2007-12-17 19:06:30 · answer #3 · answered by laurahal42 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Right NOW------- go outside after dark look toward the East for a bright orange colored "star" -------- that's Mars. It will be up for several more months...... and December is the best time to view it when it is HIGH in the sky --------- and the image is sharper, because you are looking through less atmosphere--- pick a clear cold, calm night.
2007-12-17 19:59:17 · answer #4 · answered by Bullseye 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Right now is a great time to view Mars.
2007-12-17 18:57:06 · answer #5 · answered by Larry62 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Now
2007-12-17 19:09:40 · answer #6 · answered by comethunter 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋