May 22 - Mars Helicopter

May 22 Mars Helicopter by:

A tiny helicopter for Mars 2020 "After the Wright Brothers proved 117 years ago that powered, sustained, and controlled flight was possible here on Earth, another group of American pioneers may prove the same can be done on another world." Polaris is Earth's North Star Many people think Polaris is the sky's brightest star. It's not. In fact, Polaris ranks only 50th in brightness. Polaris is famous because the entire northern sky wheels around it. Does Mars have a North Star? Will future Mars explorers have a North Star to guide them? Mars brighter in 2018 than since 2003 Mars is getting bright! But it's still up between midnight and dawn. Between now and July, the Red Planet will shift over into the evening sky … and then the drama will begin!

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Mars brighter in 2018 than since 2003 Today's inner solar system, as viewed from above. Mars is red, Earth is blue. Contrast this chart to the one below. You can see that - this month - Earth is catching up to Mars in the race of the planets around the sun. That's why Mars is getting brighter. Image via Fourmilab.

Mars brighter in 2018 than since 2003 We'll pass between between the sun and Mars on July 27. It'll be Mars' opposition, which happens about every 2 years. At such times, Mars is always brightest for that 2-year period. But there's also a 15-year cycle of Mars, whereby the red planet appears brighter and fainter in our skies. In July 2018, we'll be at the peak of the 2-year cycle - and near the peak of the 15-year cycle - and Mars will be very, very bright! Image via Fourmilab. Submit your photo to EarthSky here! Did a friend forward EarthSkyNews to you? Click here to get your own subscription!

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