Viewing Mars

[Adam Isa]

Hi all. Quick question, what is the best time of year to view Mars from the UK? Had a quick look in Stellarium but it always sets with the sun. Is there any particular time when it'll set just after at all?

[Ant]

Because the orbit of Mars and the orbit of Earth are similar in size (well compared to Earth/Jupiter), Mars moves much further in it's own orbit than the other planets do.

So mars takes a lot longer to go from opposition to opposition - over 2 years.

Mars was at opposition in Jan 2010, the next one is in Mar 2012, then Apr 2014 and May 2016.

So you need to wait a little while.

Ant

[Adam Isa]

Booo! Only another 19 months left!

[Chris H]

Not only will it be 19 months till the next opposition but the opposition will be further towards aphelion than it was in Jan of this year. For Mars to be nearly back to perihelion you will have to wait until 2020.

[DarkerSky]

On a different note: Mars and Venus are observable in the same FOV with 16x50 bins in the evening sky at the mo. I've just seen them together