3. Some Upcoming Events

The bright hub of the Great Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31)

- Photo by the author

COOL UPCOMING CELESTIAL EVENTS:

This is a partial list of interesting celestial events for mid-northern observers; especially for observers in the Midwestern U.S.

• •  Mars will reach opposition on July 27, 2018. This will be the most favorable opposition since 2003. The apparent size of the Red Planet will swell to 24.2 arc-seconds in diameter.  Backyard telescope users will best enjoy surface features of Mars in July and August, after which the planet will appear to shrink as Earth speeds by and leaves slower Mars behind.