If the clouds ever clear out from overhead, sky watchers on the First Coast will be treated to quite a sight, courtesy of the Red Planet.
Mars is gradually inching its way closer to the Earth. Science writer and Oakleaf High School physics teacher Thomas Webber said it’s not often we see the planet get as up-close-and-personal as it’s going to get.
In fact, he said, the last time was 2003. “It came within 56 million kilometers of Earth. Neanderthals were the last ones to see Mars that close. Well, we’re not going to break that record but we sure are coming close at the end of this month.”
Mars will be just a million miles farther away than it was in 2003. But the show is already underway.
“Mars already is looking very bright and powerful in the night sky. It’s surpassing Jupiter in brightness. Toward the end of July it will be 1-point-8 times brighter than Jupiter.” Webber said.
Mars will be at its closest point to Earth on July 31, according to NASA. To find it in the night sky just step outside and look south. Mars will be the bright dot with the slightly reddish tint.
By mid-August, Mars will become fainter as Mars and Earth travel farther away from each other in their orbits around the Sun, according to NASA.
The next time Mars will come this close to Earth will be October 2020.
Contact reporter Cyd Hoskinson at choskinson@wjct.org, 904-358-6351 and on Twitter @cydwjctnews.
