Brighter Than Mars
Explanation:
Even though you may have just read an email
claiming Mars will be incredibly bright tonight,
the brightest star on the horizon is not Mars.
From central Iran on August 24th,
the brightest star in this
twilight
desert skyview
is Venus, aka the Evening Star.
But a bright Mars is in the picture, just above and right
of more
brilliant Venus.
Despite claims in the internet's
annually returning Mars Hoax
that Mars will be as big and bright as the Full Moon,
this celestial scenario is very similar to the western sky you can
see tonight.
Along with Mars, the still beautiful vista includes Spica,
alpha star of the
constellation
Virgo, above and left
of Venus.
Farther right of Venus,
Saturn peeks through the sunset's
fading glow just above the clouds.
Near the opposite horizon, the Full Moon illuminating the
desert is about 400,000 times brighter
than Mars.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
