Mars will reach the closest distance to Earth

During this phenomenon, Mars will be at its farthest position from the sun and will be about 211.5 million km from the center of the sun - BERNAMA photo

DOHA: Qatar Calendar House (QCH) says the red planet (Mars) will look brighter and bigger than a normal day from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning, the Qatar news agency (QNA) reported.

This is because Mars will reach its closest position to Earth on Wednesday morning, 27 Safar, 1442 H, equivalent to October 14, 2.18 am local time Doha, as it will be in a position in conflict with the sun, known astronomically as the phenomenon of collision between Mars and Sun.

The phenomenon is very important, as it is considered a good opportunity to observe and see the planet Mars from the surface of the earth with the naked eye or use astronomical tools for the longest time of the year, which will be visible almost all night, because the rising and setting times are almost the same as the sun rises and sets, says QCH astronomer Dr Beshir Marzouk.

During this phenomenon, Mars will be at the farthest position from the sun and will be about 211.5 million kilometers (km) from the center of the sun, at the same time it will be at the closest position from the earth at a distance of 62.3 million km from the center of the earth, added Marzouk .