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Close sight of the Red Planet

A rare phenomena in the night sky at the end of August will be visible when Mars will be in 'opposition' while the Sun, Earth and Mars form a straight line, Dr. Chandana Jayaratne of the Department of Physics at Colombo University said. The transition will take place when the Red Planet Mars journeys round the Sun on an elliptical orbit getting closer to earth. With each passing night Mars will slowly appear to grow larger and brighter.

Although the Sun, Earth and Mars will form a straight line on August 28 , by 27 a reddish point of light in the night sky will appear more than six times larger and shine some 85 times brighter than before. 'The closest approach takes place around 3.52 p.m. Sri Lanka time on August 27. This will be the closest that Mars has come to our planet in nearly 60,000 years.

Dr. Jayaratne added that people can observe this planet from now onwards and see how it changes till August 27. "Several observational camps have been organised by the Mathematical and Astronomical Society of the University of Colombo on August 25, 26 and 29.

A camp has also been organised by the Arthur C Clarke Institute of Modern Technologies, Katubedda on August 27 and 28" he said.