Date:24/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/24/stories/2007122459341100.htm

National

See Mars at its brightest with the naked eye

HYDERABAD: Stargazers could watch Mars at its brightest with the naked eye on December 24 when Mars will be in “opposition” — the Sun and Mars directly on the opposite sides of the Earth.

A press release from the Planetary Society, India, said Mars could be spotted above the Moon in the evening and below the Moon (towards western sky) in the morning. Mars will rise in the east as the sun sets in the west. It will set in the west, as the sun rises in the east.

N. Raghunandan Kumar, general secretary, said Mars would be at its brightest from December 24 to 29. However, it would not be as bright as Jupiter or Venus. Though it would continue to be visible till September next, the brightness would decrease.

He said the ‘opposition’ would provide a good opportunity to people to spot the Red planet on their own.

Those interested could look towards the direction between north-east and east after sunset.