If your skies are clear tonight you can see the full moon and Mars

[malaise]

Enjoy

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I am really hoping! Thanks, malaise.

[malaise]

2. You're welcome

[backtoblue]

3. Cool.

I can never sleep on a full moon, so at least I can go outside and take a peek at Mars during my insomnia!

[malaise]

6. Put in your state and check what you can see tonight

https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/night/jamaica/kingston

It's a feast of planets here tonight

[backtoblue]

13. Awesome. Thanks malaise!

[progree]

4. Your sky now (or any time):

https://in-the-sky.org/skymap2.php
To see what the sky looks like when facing south (where Mars and the Moon are for most in the northern hemisphere) click and drag on the "S" at the top of the circle, drag it to the bottom.

Another "planetarium" view
https://in-the-sky.org/skymap.php

[malaise]

7. Thanks

Cool

[NurseJackie]

5. Is this the one where Mars is supposed to appear to be the same size as the Moon?

[malaise]

9. I think we missed that in July

https://mars.nasa.gov/all-about-mars/night-sky/close-approach/

[progree]

12. Nope, never was anywhere near that large or bright

It's closest approach (and the brightest) was July 31. People including me described it as almost a "Chinese lantern", many times brighter than any planet or star in the sky. I thought it was an airplane flying a short distance overhead and I was seeing it's red navigation light ... except it didn't move in the sky (I positioned myself so that a distant tree was just under it, and it didn't move with respect to the tree). And the light didn't blink.

It is still very very bright -- I'm in the middle of horrible light pollution, but no problem as seeing it last night as a very bright red "star".

https://mars.nasa.gov/allaboutmars/nightsky/mars-close-approach/

[tonyt53]

28. Bingo!

[progree]

14. I see from that NASA page there was a social media / chain email claim like that ...

https://mars.nasa.gov/allaboutmars/nightsky/mars-close-approach/

Close Approach: Mars Hoax
However, don't be fooled by the Mars Hoax! Since 2003, this urban legend gets circulated through email and social media every time Mars makes a Close Approach.

The message is that Mars will look as big as the Moon in our night sky. If that were true, we'd be in big trouble given the gravitational pulls on Earth, Mars, and our Moon!

The next closest approach is October 2020 -- almost as good as what we had July 31 -- per the above link.

[Demovictory9]

8. what is that other planet that's been easily viewable lately?

Mars is the orangy red one. What's the other one.

[malaise]

10. Several are visible but I won't be up all night to see some

Last edited Mon Aug 27, 2018, 08:27 AM - Edit history (1)

https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/night/jamaica/kingston

[Demovictory9]

18. thank you

[HipChick]

24. Thanks for posting...

Stateside right now...and too many street lights..

[Harker]

11. Jupiter and Venus

are bright and readily visible.

[malaise]

15. Moon not visible yet but Jupiter, Venus and Mars

are clear, bright and beautiful. Buildings are blocking the rising moon.

[Demovictory9]

16. ok. thanks. I have to figure out which one I'm look at next time I see it.

[oberliner]

17. Venus and Mars are alright tonight

[Harker]

19. When the Moon is in the seventh house

and Jupiter aligns with Mars, then peace will guide the planets and love will steer the stars.

[oberliner]

20. And then there is this

Watch for Tina Turner!

[Harker]

22. Can't top that!

And me with no bellbottoms.

[malaise]

25. LOL

[peekaloo]

21. Cloudy but the moon is peeking through the trees.

It'll take a couple of more hours to be fully visible.

Seems to be an eclipse of Ourorangeanus up in DC tonight.

[Docreed2003]

23. Beautiful view of both here in TN

As well as Saturn and Jupiter.

For anyone who enjoys viewing the night sky, I'd strongly recommend the "NightSky" app on iPhone....it's probably on android too. It's a fun app, especially on clear nights when you're trying to figure out what that bright spot in the sky might be!

[malaise]

26. Thanks

[ProfessorGAC]

27. Mars Was Very Bright and Obvious

Went out a couple times (around 11pm and then around 3, i think.)

Had to track it the second time because i forgot exactly where i saw it the first time.

Even with a full moon, the red dot was highly visible.