Conjunction of Moon and Mars January 31, 2023
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On Monday night (Jan. 30), the moon will eclipse Mars in what's known as an occultation, during which the moon will pass in front of Mars from the perspective of Earth.
Unfortunately only a small swath of the planet will be able to see the occultation, but that does include the southern United States, from southern California all the way to northern Florida, and as far north as Oklahoma, according to skywatching site In-the-sky.org.(opens in new tab) Other viewing areas include Mexico, the Caribbean, Central American, and northwestern South America.
For those who live outside the zone of visibility of the lunar occultation, you'll still be able to witness the conjunction of the moon and Mars, as the two celestial bodies will share the same right ascension (celestial equivalent of latitude) in an arrangement known as a conjunction. They'll also be making a close approach, known as an appulse.
The moon and Mars are the heralds of this particular new year. On 3 January, they will pass each other in the night sky. The moon will be in its waxing gibbous phase, about 11 days old with 92% of its visible surface illuminated.
The chart shows the view looking south-south-east from London at 21.00 GMT on 3 January.
The conjunction takes place in the constellation of Taurus, the bull. During northern winter time, the star field around this constellation is particularly beautiful. Below Taurus is Orion, the hunter. He is imagined to be holding a club in his upraised right hand, and a shield in his left – ready to counter the charge of the bull. Behind Orion are his hunting dogs, Canis Major and Canis Minor.
The star of Sirius – the brightest star in the sky – marks out the larger of the dogs. It can often be seen twinkling fiercely in the northern winter air. Meanwhile, the delicate yellow hue of Procyon, the eighth brightest star in the sky, draws the eye to the smaller of Orion’s hunting dogs.
From the southern hemisphere, these constellations appear upside down in the northern sky. They are well-placed for viewing about midnight.
On Monday night (Jan. 30), the moon will eclipse Mars in what's known as an occultation, during which the moon will pass in front of Mars from the perspective of Earth.
Unfortunately only a small swath of the planet will be able to see the occultation, but that does include the southern United States, from southern California all the way to northern Florida, and as far north as Oklahoma, according to skywatching site In-the-sky.org.(opens in new tab) Other viewing areas include Mexico, the Caribbean, Central American, and northwestern South America.
For those who live outside the zone of visibility of the lunar occultation, you'll still be able to witness the conjunction of the moon and Mars, as the two celestial bodies will share the same right ascension (celestial equivalent of latitude) in an arrangement known as a conjunction. They'll also be making a close approach, known as an appulse.
The moon and Mars are the heralds of this particular new year. On 3 January, they will pass each other in the night sky. The moon will be in its waxing gibbous phase, about 11 days old with 92% of its visible surface illuminated.
The chart shows the view looking south-south-east from London at 21.00 GMT on 3 January.
The conjunction takes place in the constellation of Taurus, the bull. During northern winter time, the star field around this constellation is particularly beautiful. Below Taurus is Orion, the hunter. He is imagined to be holding a club in his upraised right hand, and a shield in his left – ready to counter the charge of the bull. Behind Orion are his hunting dogs, Canis Major and Canis Minor.
The star of Sirius – the brightest star in the sky – marks out the larger of the dogs. It can often be seen twinkling fiercely in the northern winter air. Meanwhile, the delicate yellow hue of Procyon, the eighth brightest star in the sky, draws the eye to the smaller of Orion’s hunting dogs.
From the southern hemisphere, these constellations appear upside down in the northern sky. They are well-placed for viewing about midnight.