In October 2005, Mars, the Red Planet, gleamed in the evening eastern sky. It was the brightest celestial object following Venus, our Twin Planet. Mars was then nearing opposition, the point at which Mars becomes opposite to the Sun in the sky. This phenomenon occurs every 26 months, and around opposition, Mars also reaches its minimum distance from our planet.

 

(For more information about the November 2005 Mars opposition, please read the online article, linked below.)

 

PSC astronomer Aymen Ibrahem obtained numerous photos of Mars in October and early November 2005. Several of these photos were published recently by European and American publishers.

 

One of Mr. Ibrahem's photos is called "Mars over Arabian Landscape". It was taken in Alexandria, and shows Mars and the Moon over palm trees.

 

Fig (1)

Mars over Arabian Landscape

The photo shows Mars and the Moon over palm trees in Alexandria, Egypt.

Photo by Aymen Ibrahem, PSC, Senior Astronomy Specialist

 

Fig (2)

Red Planet and Red Date

The photo shows Mars over red dates palm trees.

Photo by Aymen Ibrahem, PSC, Senior Astronomy Specialist

 

Fig (3)

Red Planet Returns

The photo shows Mars near the Pleiades stellar cluster, among some of the autumn star patterns, over Alexandria, Egypt.

Photo by Aymen Ibrahem, PSC, Senior Astronomy Specialist

 

Fig (4)

Red Planet and Golden Trees

Foreground illumination is provided by street lights. 

Photo by Aymen Ibrahem, PSC, Senior Astronomy Specialist

 

Currently, Mars shines high in the sky, as an orange star, near the zenith (the point directly overhead) during dusk. It is located near the famous asterism (star group) the Pleiades, and the bright star Aldebaran, which is also orange in color.

 

On 29 October 2005, Mars reached its closest distance from Earth since 27 August 2003. Its distance from Earth was about 70 million kilometers; currently, its distance is approximately 190 million kilometers.

 

Although the brightness of Mars has much faded since opposition, on 7 November 2005, it remains among the brightest objects in the evening sky.

 

In January 2006, NASA celebrated the second anniversary of the landings of the twin robotic Mars Exploration Rovers (MERs), Spirit and Opportunity. These six-wheeled, robotic geologists have been exploring the surface of Mars, producing numerous photos and making startling discoveries for over two years. The MERs mission is ranked as a tremendous success.

 

Fig (5)

Mars Exploration Rover Spirit, an artist's impression

Credit: NASA-JPL

 

Further reading

Red Planet Returns!!

http://www.bibalex.org/Eclipse2006/News_Details.aspx?id=4

Mars

http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/profile.cfm?Object=Mars&Display=Overview

Mars Exploration Rover Mission

http://marsrovers.nasa.gov/home/index.html

 

 

Aymen Mohamed Ibrahem

PSC, Senior Astronomy Specialist