45 minutes from Toulouse, we will be able to see the planet Mars up close during this special evening

It can be seen (very, very) far away in the form of a small reddish star. But this Saturday, January 18, 2025, astronomy enthusiasts will be able to be delighted by much more.

The perfect conditions for observing Mars

This weekend, the conditions are ideal for seeing Mars. “This month of January is favorable for observing this planet »rejoices Jacques Sanchez, president of the Pléiades association.

The enthusiast is playful. “Thursday was the opposition of the planet Mars. She is closest to the earth there! » 96 million km, all the same. But “it only happens every two years”recalls Jacques Sanchez.

A special evening with astronomy enthusiasts

So for the occasion, the neoastronomers intend to share their knowledge and this precious moment. At the Balcon des Etoiles, the observatory of Latrape, a small town located 45 km south of Toulousethe association will open its doors on Saturday January 18, from 5 p.m., to astronomy lovers and the most curious.

They will be guests of a “Special March evening. »

Presentations, photos…

“There will be presentations of the planet, we will talk about its missions, we will examine it, photograph it…”, lists Jacques Sanchez.

Since January 10, the association has been collaborating with two observatories. One in Cayenne in Guyana, the other in Reunion. “Until January 20, we are taking photos simultaneously to have the planet Mars in a different star field and this allows us to calculate its distance from Earth,” explains the president of the metropolitan association.

On Saturday, Reunion will join Latrape. Perfect for seeing Mars from all angles. And why not with your own eyes? The Grail…

See Mars with your own eyes (and up close!)

Alongside the explanations and after dark, the association's guests will be able to observe the planet Mars through telescopes.

“Well, we must not deceive ourselves. We will not see Mars like space probes or telescopes, as we can see in certain images,” warns Jacques Sanchez. On the other hand, the optical tool will make it possible to amplify the light of the planet, to see the polar caps of Mars, ses reliefs, ses volcanoesses craters…

A nice spectacle broadcast on a computer screen where this red ball should spread out over a diameter of 4 to 5 cm. Small, but enough to widen the eyes of those who are impressed by this fascinating moment.

Special March evening
From 5 p.m. to midnight, Saturday January 18, 2025
At the Balcon des Etoiles in Latrape (Haute-Garonne)
Price: adult €15 / child €12 / family €49, gourmet break and drinks included
Reservations required. Online ticketing via this link.

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