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The intense moon is hosting some unique visitors in the night sky today: Following a close combination of Jupiter and the moon on Thursday (Feb. 6), the Red Planet Mars is all set to increase along with Earth’s natural satellite this Sunday (Feb. 9).
In an unusual celestial occasion, the moon and Mars will be simply 1 to 2 degrees apart, offering fantastic seeing chances all night.
To get the very best views of the close method, discover an area under clear skies and far from synthetic light (although both worlds are still noticeable amidst city light contamination). Enable a long time for your eyes to get used to the darkness, and if you need to utilize a flashlight, go with traffic signal rather of white light to maintain your night vision. You can quickly see Mars and Jupiter with your naked eyes, however these worlds are best seen through a set of skywatching field glasses or a great yard telescope
Worlds hugging the moon
On Feb. 6-7, Jupiter and the moon increased about 5 degrees apart, in what’s referred to as a combination. The combination of Jupiter and the moon took place at 10:36 p.m. EST, and the 2 heavenly bodies stayed really close together all night, according to Stellarium.
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A couple of nights later on, on Feb. 9, Mars and the moon will remain in combination around 2:36 p.m. EST, according to StarwalkWhen they reach combination, they will have to do with half a degree apart, although that will differ somewhat depending upon your specific area. Mars and the moon will increase and set together, increasing soon after 2 p.m. on Feb. 8 and setting soon before 6 a.m. on Feb. 9.
Mars will be closest to the moon throughout daytime hours for audiences in the United States and Canada, Mars will stay extremely close to the moon all night. Soon after sundown, the moon and Mars will have to do with 2 degrees apart, although this might differ a little depending upon your area. Search for them in the eastern sky, in the constellation Gemini. Mars will appear above and somewhat to the west of the waxing gibbous moon, which will have to do with 90% brightened.
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Skywatchers in northern latitudes may even have the ability to capture a lunar occultation, when the moon appears to swallow a world from the sky. Mars will disappear behind the moon around 1:09 p.m. EST and emerge from behind the moon around 4:30 p.m. EST, according to StarwalkThe lunar occultation of Mars will show up from parts of Canada, the majority of Scandinavia and Russia, and parts of Asia. The occultation will hardly graze the northern most part of the U.K.
This map from In-the-Sky reveals the areas where the lunar occultation will show up; you can type your place into the sidebar on In-the-Sky to examine if the lunar occultation will show up from your area.
Editor’s note: This post was upgraded on Friday (Feb. 7) after the combination of Jupiter and the moon ended.
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