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Why The Glowing Golden ‘Star’ In The Sky Is Getting Brighter This Week
As night falls this week, a peculiar celestial spectacle is unfolding in the sky. A glowing golden “star” that appears to be growing brighter has piqued the interest of many stargazers. But what’s behind this sudden increase in luminosity? Let’s dive into the science and astronomy to uncover the truth.
The phenomenon you’re witnessing is none other than Mars, our neighboring planet that has reached opposition – a crucial astronomical event where Earth sits precisely between the Sun and Mars. This alignment allows us to gaze upon the Red Planet at its closest point to our own world.
But wait, it gets even more fascinating! Not only will we get an up-close look at this ancient, rust-colored orb, but we’ll also be treated to a rare lunar event – a full moon occulting Mars. Yes, you read that correctly; the Moon is temporarily blocking our view of Mars as if devouring it whole.
On Monday, January 13th, the Wolf Moon (the first full moon of 2025) briefly consumed Mars for about an hour between 8:44 PM EST and 00:52 AM EST on Tuesday, January 14. This rare event was merely an illusion, with Mars being a staggering 266 times farther away from us than our trusted lunar companion.
As we move forward into the next couple of months, get ready to witness more spectacular events involving Mars! It’s going to be involved in a ‘planet parade’ alongside Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Neptune, and Uranus. On February 9th, it will make an appearance close to the waxing gibbous moon during an event called conjunction.
In conclusion, this is not just any ordinary celestial occurrence; we’re witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime experience! It’s time for us to dust off our telescopes and enjoy the night sky in all its glory. Mark your calendars for the next opposition of Mars on February 19th, 2027, but be sure to keep an eye out for any upcoming celestial events that will give you a front-row seat to marvel at the wonders of space.
And don’t forget to join me on Twitter or LinkedIn as we continue this conversation and explore more fascinating stories from the world of astronomy.
Source: www.forbes.com
