Don't Miss the Spectacular Close Encounter of Mars and the Moon Tonight!

Tonight, November 20, stargazers are in for a treat as Mars and the Moon engage in a breathtaking celestial close encounter. These two celestial bodies will appear strikingly close in the night sky, providing an incredible sight for anyone looking up—whether with the naked eye or through binoculars!

As darkness falls across the United States, the Moon will rise in the east approximately four hours post-sunset, remaining visible throughout the night. Mars, shining brilliantly as an orange-yellow orb, will be positioned just above the Moon. This event marks a conjunction, where both celestial bodies share the same right ascension, a measure akin to longitude, which explains how far east they are from an established point in space.

Tonight, their pairing will occur in the constellation Cancer, known as the Crab. The Moon will be at the age of 20 days, showcasing a waning gibbous phase with 75.7% illumination. As we head deeper into November, the Moon's illuminated portion will continue to decrease, eventually transitioning to its half-lit third quarter moon phase on November 22, followed by the new moon on December 1.

These phases make tonight an excellent opportunity for astronomy enthusiasts! When the Moon reaches these semi-illuminated states, the contrast of light and shadow across its surface can be vividly striking, revealing lunar mountains and craters in stunning detail—perfect for those using telescopes or binoculars.

In parallel, Mars is also becoming more prominent this month, with its brightness increasing from a magnitude of +0.1 to -0.5. As we shift towards winter, the Red Planet will be perfectly positioned, becoming increasingly visible late in the evening and rising high in the night sky. Through a telescope, Mars will present itself as a nearly 90%-illuminated reddish-orange disk.

As Mars continues its orbital journey, it is currently moving eastward relative to Earth, but don’t be surprised if its motion appears to slow later this month. On December 6, Mars will begin its retrograde motion—an optical illusion brought about by the unique orbits of both the Earth and Mars around the Sun. As Earth speeds ahead in its orbit, it can create the perception that Mars is moving backwards, a phenomenon that enchants astronomers and stargazers alike.

Don’t forget to look up tonight; the convergence of Mars and the Moon promises an unforgettable celestial spectacle! Get your binoculars ready for a journey through our mesmerizing universe!