(NewsNation) — Mars will shine brightly in the night sky Thursday, giving off the brightest light since December 2022 and a view that won’t be seen again until 2027.
It happens as the red planet reaches a point known to astronomers as “opposition.” That’s when the Earth sits directly between Mars and the sun. That puts Mars as close as it can get to our planet.
It’s also the only time the face of Mars is fully illuminated by the sun. That makes it as bright and large as it will ever appear during its orbit of 697 Earth days.
The phenomenon can be viewed through binoculars or a telescope, or with the naked eye.
Those hoping to see it should look for a reddish-gold colored light in the constellation Gemini. The best time to get a good view is by looking East at sunset or West at sunrise. It will be visible all night.
Immediately after sunset, Venus will also be visible, but it will set a few hours after sunset. That will leave Mars as the brightest object in the sky, dominating other celestial objects.
If you miss it, you’re out of luck — at least for a while. The next time Mars will be this close is February 2027.
As for Venus, the planet will have its chance to shine later in January through early February, dwarfing Mars’ light. Appropriately enough for a planet named after the goddess of love, Venus will be as bright as it ever gets on Valentine’s Day.