Mars Observing Program Resources

And so the latest apparition of Mars begins, culminating with opposition on October 6        

[Comparative apparent size of Mars for the year centered on Opposition on Oct 6. Jupiter at 2020 opposition added for scale. Image courtesy Jeffrey D. Beish & ALPO from the link below]

While this page is oriented around providing information helpful in completing the Astronomical Leagues' "Mars Observing Program", it should also be very helpful for simply understanding this years apparition in general and how to get the best out of observing Mars specifically!

For what it's worth, Mars aint gettin' any bigger. By that we mean that the APPARENT (not actual) size is directly dependent upon how far Mars is away from us. This proximity and resulting size is determined by the orbits of Mars and the Earth. The closest we can ever be to Mars is when these three conditions are met:

1] We are at Aphelion of our orbit (Furthest distance from the sun)

2] Mars is at Perihelion of its orbit (Closest distance to the Sun)

3] These points are directly on a line from the Sun to Mars.

Hence, this kind of alignment (Perihelic Opposition):

Value added note: When any two bodies lie on the same line from the Sun, the body furthest from the sun is said to be in "Opposition" to the body closest to the Sun - in this case, Mars is at opposition to the Earth

The SMALLEST we'll ever see Mars, at opposition, is when it is at its Aphelion point and we are at our Perihelion point (Apihelic Opposition).

So, having identified that Mars is in the waning phase of optimal opposition alignment, it's safe to say that if you really want a good view of Mars, this year will be it (at least until about thirteen years from now - I leave it to you to determine that date of opposition)

Nice description here: Link

Here are the dates for the next 8 oppositions. As can be seen, the next year where Mars will appear as large as this years' opposition will be the opposition of 2033.

Year    Date    Size Arc "       Mag

2020   Oct 13            22        -2.6

2022   Dec  7            17        -1.9

2025   Jan 15           15        -1.4

2027   Feb 19        14        -1.2

2029   Mar 25           14        -1.3

2031   May  4           17        -1.8

2033   Jun 27           22        -2.5

2035   Sep 15          25        -2.8

OK, on to the good stuff

Specific, program references:

Link to the Astronomical League' Mars Observing Program page

FWIW, here is a link to my completed submission for this program 

General References:

Here are some links to basic references that you might find useful as you start out understanding the physical aspects of Mars and its' motions. I view these as the fundamental references from which you can base your understanding of Mars and how to observe it - kind of a "Minimum required by law". 

• • As far as Internet links go, this just might be the ultimate guide to observing Mars, if not THE ultimate guide period. If you come away with anything from this page, it will (should?) be this document!

http://www.alpo-astronomy.org/jbeish/Observing_Mars.html

• • This is also a wonderful page on Mars. It's the opening to a rabbit hole of information, graphics and links to much more Mars related information:

http://www.nakedeyeplanets.com/mars.htm

• • Specific information and data for 2020 that you'll need and reference for this apparition of Mars. Aug 3 would be a good time to start making official observations. Things start to move quickly, Literally & figuratively, at this point. This is when we and Mars begin to rapidly move through our closest approach and receding phases. It is the beginning of that two month window preceding opposition that I talk about so often.

http://www.alpo-astronomy.org/jbeish/2020_MARS.htm

• • DAILY Ephemeris of Mars for this apparition (Do not confuse this with my Ephemeris below, which is Mars centric and given in 15 minute periods while it is above the local horizon. "I leave it to the student" to understand what the various elements mean and how useful they can be for your observation planning (Hint, the "2020_mars" info and the observing "Observing Mars" references are all you need to understand the elements in this document and how to use them):

http://www.alpo-astronomy.org/jbeish/eph19_21.html

• • A page from Skyhound.com: https://www.observing.skyhound.com/shallow_sky/mars.html

WinJupos:

This is a terrific tool for Realtime data and view of Mars. Also allows calculation of ephemeris for 

FWIW, here is a link to my completed submission for this program 

Page created 23 June 2020. Tinyurl link to this page: https://tinyurl.com/almopr