Brian Lada : Accuweather : 18 May 2016
Astronomers and stargazers are in for a treat this upcoming weekend with two big celestial events taking place; a full 'Blue Moon' and the opposition of Mars.
Blue Moon
May's Full Moon goes by several names, including the Full Flower Moon, the Full Corn Planting Moon and the Milk Moon. But this year, it will also go by the title of a Blue Moon. A Blue Moon typically occurs once every few years (hence the term 'once in a Blue Moon') and is commonly the name of the second full moon in a calendar month. However, this weekend's Blue Moon gained its name a different way.
Normally, there are only three full moons in each season, but occasionally there is a season with four full moons. When this happens, like this spring, the third of the four full moons earns the name of a Blue Moon. Despite their name, blue moons are not actually the color blue and will appear their typical color. The next 'traditional' Blue Moon does not occur until January 31, 2018.
Mars Opposition
One day after the full moon, Mars will reach opposition, meaning that that Earth will be passing directly between Mars and the sun. When this happens, Mars will be extremely bright, making it a great time for astronomers to observe the planet.
Blue Moon
May's Full Moon goes by several names, including the Full Flower Moon, the Full Corn Planting Moon and the Milk Moon. But this year, it will also go by the title of a Blue Moon. A Blue Moon typically occurs once every few years (hence the term 'once in a Blue Moon') and is commonly the name of the second full moon in a calendar month. However, this weekend's Blue Moon gained its name a different way.
Normally, there are only three full moons in each season, but occasionally there is a season with four full moons. When this happens, like this spring, the third of the four full moons earns the name of a Blue Moon. Despite their name, blue moons are not actually the color blue and will appear their typical color. The next 'traditional' Blue Moon does not occur until January 31, 2018.
Mars Opposition
One day after the full moon, Mars will reach opposition, meaning that that Earth will be passing directly between Mars and the sun. When this happens, Mars will be extremely bright, making it a great time for astronomers to observe the planet.
© EarthSky/Mikhail Chubarets
Mars will be one of the brightest objects in the sky on Sunday night after the Moon and will be visible from dusk to dawn.
According to EarthSky, by the time Mars reaches opposition, it will have quadrupled in brightness since the beginning of April. Additionally, it will shine nearly 80 times brighter than it does when the planet is at its faintest. Even if clouds block your view of Mars on Sunday night, it should remain bright for several weeks before it slowly and steadily becomes faint.
About a week after opposition, Mars will make its closest approach to Earth in over 10 years. At a distance of 46.8 million miles (75.3 million km), this will be the closest the Red Planet has been to our planet since 2003!
Although this is the closest the planets have been in years, it does not mean that Mars will be significantly larger in the night sky as some social media hoaxes might suggest. While it is true that Mars does give off a red glow in the night sky, you will not be able to see the planet like you would the Moon
According to EarthSky, by the time Mars reaches opposition, it will have quadrupled in brightness since the beginning of April. Additionally, it will shine nearly 80 times brighter than it does when the planet is at its faintest. Even if clouds block your view of Mars on Sunday night, it should remain bright for several weeks before it slowly and steadily becomes faint.
About a week after opposition, Mars will make its closest approach to Earth in over 10 years. At a distance of 46.8 million miles (75.3 million km), this will be the closest the Red Planet has been to our planet since 2003!
Although this is the closest the planets have been in years, it does not mean that Mars will be significantly larger in the night sky as some social media hoaxes might suggest. While it is true that Mars does give off a red glow in the night sky, you will not be able to see the planet like you would the Moon
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