From sunset to sunrise, an unusually bright yellowish orb will hang in the sky this Halloween: Mars. Yesterday, Earth passed Mars [
http://www.nineplan…] as they orbited the Sun, bringing Mars closer [
http://science.nasa…] than it will be for the next thirteen years. Tonight though, Mars will be nearly as bright as last night, a beacon of extraterrestrial spookiness [
http://antwrp.gsfc.…]. Opposite [
http://www.heavens-…gloss.asp?term=oppos ition ] the Sun, Mars will rise just when the Sun sets, set just when the Sun rises, and be visible the entire night. Mars [
http://antwrp.gsfc.…] will not always be the brightest object in tonight's sky, though. Brighter than even Mars, almost spooky Venus will light up the western horizon for a brief time just after sunset. Please have a safe and happy All Hallows Eve [
http://antwrp.gsfc.…].
Explanation
From sunset to sunrise, an unusually bright yellowish orb will hang in the sky this Halloween: Mars. Yesterday, Earth passed Mars [
http://www.nineplan…] as they orbited the Sun, bringing Mars closer [
http://science.nasa…] than it will be for the next thirteen years. Tonight though, Mars will be nearly as bright as last night, a beacon of extraterrestrial spookiness [
http://antwrp.gsfc.…]. Opposite [
http://www.heavens-…gloss.asp?term=oppos ition ] the Sun, Mars will rise just when the Sun sets, set just when the Sun rises, and be visible the entire night. Mars [
http://antwrp.gsfc.…] will not always be the brightest object in tonight's sky, though. Brighter than even Mars, almost spooky Venus will light up the western horizon for a brief time just after sunset. Please have a safe and happy All Hallows Eve [
http://antwrp.gsfc.…].
Explanation
