July 10 - Mars, Mars, Mars and Jupiter

July 10 Mars, Mars, Mars … and Jupiter by:

Mars brighter in 2018 than since 2003​ We're fielding emails about a bright red "star" ascending in the east in mid-evening or later. What is it!? It's Mars, and it'll shine brilliantly throughout July and August.  Double moon on July 27? August 27?​​ Let's be hoax-busters. This one is sure to be circulating, since it circulates every year. No. Mars will not be as large as the moon on July 27, August 27, or ever. Close and far Mars oppositions​​ Want a more numerical explanation for why 2018 is a great year to view Mars? This post is for you. Tonight … Jupiter ends retrograde  The end of retrograde means the end of the best time for viewing Jupiter in 2018. But Jupiter will remain bright and fun to see for many months to come. In the meantime, Mars is now as bright as Jupiter ... soon to be brighter!

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See it! Venus and Regulus meet​ Venus and star Regulus - brightest light in Leo the Lion - met in Monday's western twilight sky. This photo is from Peter Lowenstein in Mutare, Zimbabwe. The bright “star” to the lower left of the pair is another planet, Mercury. The true star to their right is Algieba, also in Leo.

See it! Mars is very bright now Peter Ryan wrote on Sunday: “I went out to grab a picture of the Milky Way on the coast of Rhode Island over in Newport. When I got done, I noticed the red dot on the lower left and couldn’t believe my eyes that it was Mars.” You won't believe Mars' brightness either, when you see the planet this month. Watch for Mars ascending in the east by mid-evening. And check out these photos from our community. Submit your photo to EarthSky here! Did a friend forward EarthSkyNews to you? Click here to get your own subscription!

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