Close Encounters of Three Kinds

On December 18, Mars will make its closest approach to Earth this year. Close encounters between Earth and Mars happen once every 26 months, but some are closer than others. You may remember August 2003 when Mars was a mere 55 million kilometers from Earth and shone very brightly in the sky. This time, Mars will be over 88 million kilometers away at closest approach.

Even so, Mars will be bright enough in the sky to stand out. It’s currently in the constellation Gemini the twins, high in the east in the evening sky. If you have trouble finding it, look for the bright constellation Orion the Hunter. Draw an imaginary line from the blue star Rigel in Orion’s right foot, to red Betelgeuse in his left shoulder. Keep drawing that imaginary line until you find a bright orange point of light. That’s Mars!

An entirely different kind of close encounter involving Mars happens on December 23, when the full Moon will appear right next to Mars. Of course, they only look like they’re next to each other because they’re in the same part of the sky as seen from our location here on Earth. The Moon is 400,000 kilometers away from Earth, but Mars will still be over 88 million kilometers away.

Meanwhile, the Mars Phoenix Lander is on its way to Mars for an extreme close encounter. Phoenix is scheduled to land on May 25, 2008. Unlike the famous rovers Spirit and Opportunity which still roam the surface, Phoenix will stay put where it lands. Its mission is to search for water ice beneath the surface, so it’s built not to roll, but to dig. Scientists hope to learn more about the geologic history of Mars and whether life could have ever existed on the Red Planet.

Other Planetary Views

Mars isn’t the only planet visible this month. If you stay out a little later, this is a good time to look for the ringed planet Saturn. It rises a little after 11:00 pm early in December, and just after 9:00 pm as January begins. Unless you have a perfectly flat horizon and crystal clear skies, it helps to wait an hour or two after the planet rises so you can get a clear, unobstructed view. A small telescope can provide an excellent view of Saturn’s famously beautiful rings.

Meanwhile, Venus remains high and extremely bright in the pre-dawn hours. Look for it high in the southeast before sunrise throughout the month. It will be the single brightest point of light in the sky, aside from the occasional airplane.

Comet Holmes Update

Last month, a surprise visitor appeared in our skies. Comet Holmes will never rank among the list of great, bright comets such as Halley, Hale- Bopp, or Hyakutake, but under the right conditions it’s still visible to the naked eye. Toward the end of November it was washed out by the glare of a bright Moon, but during early December you have another chance to see this comet. It’s fainter than it was, but now appears larger than the full Moon. Use binoculars or a low- power telescope to get a closer look. Visit Sky and Telescope Magazine’s Comet Holmes page for more information.

Meet and Greet (and Eat)

This month’s meeting of the Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society is December 20 at Adventure Science Center. The annual BSAS holiday potluck starts at 6:30 pm to be followed by Astro-Jeopardy with Charlie Warren, Editor of Amateur Astronomy Magazine, as Master of Ceremonies. Bring a dish and join us! The regular BSAS meeting starts at 7:30 pm. Charlie Warren’s after-dinner presentation will include a compilation of astronomical images including his 25 favorite objects to view with binoculars, small telescopes, and large telescopes. His program will conclude with a discussion of Astronomical Trends from an editor’s perspective. If you or a friend find a new telescope under the tree this year, you’ll want to attend the BSAS meeting on January 18, 2008. The presentation will be designed to help new telescope owners get the most out of their equipment.

Star Parties

The next FREE pubic star party is Friday, December 15, 2007, from 8:00 to 10:00 pm at the Special Events Field at Edwin Warner Park. We’ll be watching for the Geminid meteor shower while telescopes from BSAS will provide views of the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

Another free star party at Warner Park will be on February 9, from 7:30 to 9:30 PM. Then, on February 20, join us here at Adventure Science Center for a star party from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. The main attraction: a total lunar eclipse!

Visit our star parties page for more details, tips for attending star parties, and a list of future events.