Mars Observing

The astronomy buffs out there probably already know this, but this is a grand time to observe the planet Mars in the northern hemisphere. The planet is at its closest to Earth this year, close enough that even small telescopes in the backyard should allow the observer to study surface features of the planet.

The very smallest Martian features will be visible for nearly a month in 2005. Beginning on October 23 and extending through November 06, the disk of Mars will exceed 20 arcseconds. During this interval the large volcanoes, like those located within Elysium or in the Tharsis regions, may be visible even in a 6-inch telescope.

Closest approach is on Oct. 30, at which time the planet will be slightly more than 20 arcseconds in diameter, or about 2/3 the size of the full moon. During this period, the planet will be observable around midnight (plus or minus an hour or two).