The phenomenon of Mars opposition has finally occurred. LAPAN has revealed that the opposition of Mars is an astronomical phenomenon. According to estimates, this astronomical phenomenon can be seen from the territory of Indonesia.
As the name suggests, obviously this phenomenon involves the red planet. You must know that the red planet is the nickname of the planet Mars which is the neighbor of the Earth.
This phenomenon is not an annual astronomical event. Therefore, many are eagerly awaiting the arrival of this natural phenomenon.
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Seen in the sky over Indonesia, this is the Mars opposition phenomenon!
Celestial phenomena are not new. On December 8, 2022, a celestial phenomenon called the Opposition of Mars occurs.
This is a phenomenon involving the red planet. According to information from the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN), when the opposition of Mars occurs, the configuration of the Sun, Earth and Mars is in a straight line.
The planet Mars will be on the opposite side of the Sun. It was this condition that later gave this natural occurrence the nickname ‘opposition’.
What will happen when Mars opposes?
When opposition takes place on Mars, there will be some unusual things. Research Center for Space Research, Andi Pangerang explained that with this configuration, the planet Mars will approach the Earth.
This therefore makes Mars appear brighter than on ordinary nights. Even so, it would not be as big and intense as a Full Moon.
This is because when the Mars opposition phenomenon occurs, the entire surface of the planet facing the Earth will be exposed to sunlight. This is an annual celestial event, but will occur once every 25.6 months.
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When does Mars opposition occur?
This astronomical phenomenon occurs on December 8, 2022, exactly at 12:35 AM WIB, 1:35 PM for WITA region and 2:35 PM for WIT. Interestingly, this is one of the phenomena that can be seen from the Indonesian sky.
The planet Mars can be seen from northeastern Indonesia around sunset time. Henceforth, Mars culminates in the north with an altitude of about 54.3 degrees at Rote Ndao to 70.9 degrees at Sabang City.
The appearance of Mars then ends the next morning in the northwest around the time of dawn.
At the time of this phenomenon, the distance between Mars and the Earth was only 82.2 million kilometers. With a magnitude of -1.87 or 1.5 times brighter than the star Sirius, Mars can be clearly seen.
That’s why Mars Opposition can be seen with the naked eye without having to use optical aids, provided that the weather at that moment is clear, the field of view is free from any obstructions and the observations are free of light pollution.
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Then, Andi also revealed that this natural phenomenon would have no impact on Earth.
After this year, the Mars opposition phenomenon is expected to repeat itself on January 16, 2025, then February 19, 2027, exactly 25.6 months. (R10/HR-Online)
