A new image taken by the Hubble space telescope shows Mars in incredible detail as astronomers prepare for a close-up with the red planet. The images were taken by the telescope on May 12, when Mars was 50 million miles away, and reveal details as small as just 20 to 30 miles across, according to the United States space agency.
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According to NASA, the last Mars opposition happened in 2003 which is by far the closest Mars approach in 60,000 years. When it reaches opposition on May 22, our planets will be perfectly aligned with the Sun, because their orbits will catch up with one another: The Sun and Mars will be on exact opposite sides of Earth. Close approaches between Earth and Mars can range from 35 million to to 63 million miles. “This means that the Sun, Earth and Mars line up, with Earth sitting in between the Sun and the Red Planet”, explained the ESA.
The red planet’s elliptical orbit brings it close to Earth every 780 days.
As a result, Mars will be brightly illuminated by the sun’s rays, making it the brightest object in the Earth’s sky, just behind the sun and moon. “So a good way to remember that is as the sun goes down, immediately as it goes down, Mars is coming up”.
We will have an enhanced view of Mars as it approaches its closet movement to Earth since November of 2005.
The features of Mars visible in this latest Hubble image.
ESA’s statement describes Arabia Terra as “a vast upland region…” Sky-watchers will be able to see it rising in the east when the sun sets in the west, and following the path of the sun in the sky. For example, one of the photos depicts a dark region dubbed Syritis Major Planitia, which was initially discovered by seventeenth century observers.
There are clouds that seem to form a blanket across these dark volcanic plains of Syrtis Major.
It shows the rusty landscape, polar ice caps and even some clouds.
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Mars won’t be this close or bright until sometime in June of 2018, so if you have clear skies, be sure to check it out for yourself.
