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Early morning sky: Mars versus the moon

Posted on: Saturday, 19 July 2003, 06:00 CDT

Celestial drama unfolds in the sky tonight, culminating in a very close encounter between the moon and Mars during the predawn hours.

The moon is in the waning gibbous phase, a few days past full, and thus has a dark edge on its western limb. It rises about 11 tonight. Mars, nearer and nearer to Earth as we move through the summer -- though still 190 times farther away than the moon -- is strikingly bright and surprisingly reddish.

The moon will be clearly visible in the southeast sky by midnight, and Mars will be visible slightly to its left. As the night progresses, however, the moon's motion around Earth will bring it closer to the vicinity of Mars.

By morning twilight, which begins about 4:45, Mars will appear very close to the upper limb of the moon. Use binoculars for the best view. The graphic running with this story is exaggerated in scale to suggest the view through binoculars.

Careful observers will see the star 71-Tau2 Aquarii emerge from eclipse behind the moon at approximately 3:45 a.m. Mars itself will be eclipsed by the moon for viewers in more southerly locations, such as South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

The original planetarium program "Awesome Universe" looks into each season's evening sky to see what remarkable celestial objects can be found there. Viewers can peer into the birthplaces of stars, fall into a black hole and watch galaxies collide.

The new computer-generated depiction of two spiral galaxies colliding was supplied by the Space Telescope Science Institute.

The planetarium's new all-sky projections include the Sagittarius Star Clouds, the Cone Nebula, the Crab Nebula, the Hourglass Nebula, the Mice Galaxies and Eta Carinae, a star on the verge of collapse.

The program's musical score features compositions by Jonn Serrie, whose work has been described as "an utterly lovely and truly tranquil journey to the outer reaches of the human imagination." His masterpiece, "And the Stars Go With You," was awarded five stars by All Music Guide and was described as the "best space music album ever."

"Awesome Universe" is intended for grades 5 and up and adult audiences. It will be presented at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through September 21, or by special arrangement to school, church and other groups. For younger children, "Don't Duck, Look Up" is presented at 1 p.m. on weekends.

North Museum of Natural History and Science is located at College and Buchanan avenues. Admission, which includes the planetarium program, is $7.50 for nonmembers. Members are admitted free, and new memberships include at least three free planetarium passes per year. For more information, call 291-3941.

John C. Eliason Jr. teaches astronomy at Manheim Township High School and is director of the planetarium at North Museum of Natural History and Science.

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