When Mars, Earth and the SoleilSoleil are lined up in this order, the astronomersastronomers say that the planets are in opposition. This happens approximately every 26 months. This is when missions to the Red Planet are launched because the distance to travel from Earth to Mars is less.
Mars en opposition favorable
And it is exactly today that the event is happening. An opposition that astronomers even describe as « favorable ». Understand that it takes place when the distance between our Planet and the red planet is almost minimal. About 96 million kilometers. As a result, Mars appears right now in our sky as larger – almost 2.5 times than it was a few months ago, last August – and brighter than usual. With a magnitudemagnitude of the order of -1.4, it will almost be the brightest object in our sky nocturnenocturne — after the LuneLune whose path the red planet virtually crossed a few days ago.
A planet easy to observe in our sky
Note that the most spectacular opposition of Mars to be expected in the coming years will occur on September 15, 2035. The red planet will then be only 57 million kilometers from Earth and its magnitude will reach -2.8!
-In the meantime, to observe it, it is extremely simple. Mars rises on the eastern horizon at sunset and does not set until sunrise, this time on the western horizon. All playing out somewhere between constellations du Cancerconstellations du Cancer and Gemini. And after passing around midnight near Castor and Pollux, two of the starsstars the brightest in our sky. Mars can therefore be easily spottedeyeeye naked. To have a little more fun, a glasses or a telescopetelescope will be welcome. Especially since the height in the sky of the red planet – between 65 and 70° – will avoid atmospheric disturbances.
Venus and Saturn, two other planets at the party
Finally, note that this Saturday, January 18, 2025 — a few days before the optimum alignment of six planets above our heads — two other planets will appear very close in our sky. There conjunctionconjunction VenusVenus SaturnSaturn will be visible to the naked eye, a little after sunset, above the southwest horizon. But here again, a small instrument will help to magnify the scene by making visible the rings of Saturnrings of Saturn.
