Mars Enthralls Stargazers with Spectacular Cosmic Events This January

As January approaches, stargazers in Kolkata are gearing up for a mesmerizing celestial experience as Mars captively shines in the night sky. This winter, the Red Planet will be making its closest approach to Earth while aligning perfectly with the Sun, creating an unparalleled opportunity to witness its beauty. The astronomical excitement began on December 7, 2024, when Mars embarked on its retrograde journey, and will reach its pinnacle in early January 2025 with two significant events — Mars’ closest approach to Earth on January 12 and its opposition with the Sun on January 16.

During these dates, observers can expect Mars to appear exceptionally luminous and larger than usual, easily visible to the naked eye and a prime target for telescope aficionados. Its characteristic reddish glow will be further intensified as Earth positions itself directly between Mars and the Sun, illuminating its surface effectively. With the right equipment, even amateur astronomers can capture notable features including Mars’ polar ice caps.

However, the viewing experience may be slightly affected by the full moon occurring on January 14, which might lessen the clarity with which Mars can be seen due to the heightened lunar brightness. Bipash Das Gupta, a scientific officer at the MP Birla Institute of Fundamental Research, cautions sky-watchers to be aware of this factor while planning their observations.

Historically, close encounters between Earth and Mars happen roughly every 26 months, with this upcoming event seeing the two planets separated by about 96 million kilometers at their closest point. In comparison, during the record close approach in August 2003, Mars was just 56.4 million kilometers away—a record that won’t be surpassed until August 28, 2287.

For the best chance of observing this cosmic wonder, locals should look to the eastern horizon after sunset. Mars will rise and continue to dazzle across the night sky, prominently located in the Cancer constellation. With an angular size of 14.5 arc-seconds and a magnitude of -1.4, it will undoubtedly shine as one of the most brilliant objects visible.

Mars’ retrograde motion, which creates the optical illusion of the planet journeying westward against the starry backdrop, has fascinated astronomers for generations. This phenomenon results from Earth overtaking Mars on its orbital path around the Sun, a behavior initially perplexing to ancient stargazers, adding to the planet's mystique.

The Red Planet is renowned not only in scientific circles but also in cultural narratives, often considered a symbol of exploration and intrigue. While Mars’ thin atmosphere and extreme climate make it uninhabitable for earthly life, it shares some similarities with our planet, including comparable tilt and seasonal changes. Upcoming observations provide a unique chance to examine Mars' distinctive features, such as its polar regions and potentially fierce dust storms.

Kolkata's typically crisp winter skies offer a perfect setting for these astronomical displays. Both amateur and professional astronomers are encouraged to make the most of this opportunity. On January 12, six planets, including Mars, will be visible in a diurnal arc across the evening sky, with expert discussions hosted by Bipash Das Gupta at the UEM Observatory in New Town on both the 12th and 16th.

Don’t miss out on this extraordinary celestial spectacle! Grab your telescope, gather under the stars, and witness the brilliance of Mars as it illuminates the January skies!