 EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes
and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and
archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


 The Red Planet Up Close

   October 13, 2020

    6a0105371bb32c970b026bde99ae35200c

   Photographer:  John Chumack
   Summary Author:   John Chumack

   I just love it when  Mars gets  close to the Earth every two
   years. When Mars is nearer, of course, it gets larger in  telescopic
   view, allowing the viewer to see a number of impressive  surface
   features that are otherwise extremely challenging to observe. Luckily,
   there have been no  Martian dust storms yet to compromise seeing
   conditions. The red planet reaches  opposition today and won’t be as
   bright as it is this October until 2035. See the Related Link below to
   see how  Mars appeared in 2016.

   The above photo shows one of my most detailed Mars shots this season.
    Terra Meridiani and the  Arabia Terra region are front and
   center. A lot of  blue limb clouds and the blue  north polar hood
   are also looking good, as well as the  southern ice cap, now
   shrinking in size.

   If you haven't had  a good look at Mars before, step  outside
   this evening. Mars is that very bright orange/red planet that’s
   currently up all night long. This is a great time to peer at Mars
   through binoculars. Or if you have a small telescope, hold your
   smartphone up to the eyepiece and try to grab a shot -- it’s worth a
   try. Photo taken on October 5, 2020, at 06:41:40 UT. At the time, Mars’
    magnitude was -2.55.

   Photo Details: QHY5III290M, LRGB camera; Scope: C-11 SCT telescope; 3x
   Barlow lens; 8000 mm; 28 F ratio; seeing conditions about 7/10 -- well
   above average for me in Dayton, Ohio.
     * Dayton, Ohio Coordinates:  39.759444, -84.191667

Related EPODs

    The Red Planet Up Close  EPOD 20th - The Splendid Andromeda
   Spiral Galaxy  EPOD 20th - Observing the Moon on the Same Day from
   the Northern and Southern Hemispheres  EPOD 20th - First
   High-Quality Real Stereo Image of Pluto  Encore - Altair and
   Barnard's  Moonrise Over the Apuan Alps
    More...

Night Sky Links

     *  Space Weather Live
     *  Space Weather Live Forum
     *  About the Moon
     *  American Meteor Society
     *  Arbeitskreises Meteore e.V.
     *  Global City Lights
     *  Heavens Above Home Page
     *  The International Meteor Organization
     *  Lunar and Planetary Institute
     *  MoonConnection
     *  NASA Eclipse Web Page
     *  Understanding The Moon Phases

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   Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the  Universities
   Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu
 
