▲ A scene close to the Moon and Mars observed in Korea around 8:12 pm on April 17, 2021.
The National Gwacheon Science Museum announced on the 17th that it will broadcast real-time online broadcasts simultaneously with the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand on the'Mars cover' phenomenon that the moon covers Mars.
Mars cover is a phenomenon in which the large moon, which looks close to Earth, covers the distant Mars, and unfolds from 10:12 PM to 11:27 PM on the 17th.
The National Science Museum of Gwacheon broadcasts the Mars cover phenomenon on the YouTube channel in real time from 10 PM to 11:30 PM on the same day.
With the participation of Dae-young Park, Astronomy and Space Team Leader, National Gwacheon Science Museum, Dr. Jae-il Cho and Dr. A-Yeon Yoon, observe and explain the principle of cover, real-time proximity to the Moon and Mars, constellations and representative celestial bodies in spring.
Mars cover is only observed in India, Myanmar, Thailand, and parts of Indonesia.
In Korea, it is not observed as a Mars cover phenomenon, but the Moon and Mars appear as close to 0.3 degrees.
The last observed Mars cover phenomenon in Korea occurred on February 3, 1987, 34 years ago.
Since then, there have been 15 Mars cover events, but all of them were below the horizon or occurred during the day, which was impossible to observe.
The mars cover phenomenon that can be observed in Korea takes place on February 10, 2025, but the altitude is so low that it is difficult for the general public to see it, and the actual observable Mars cover phenomenon is expected to take place on March 4, 2042.
(Photo = Courtesy of Gwacheon National Science Museum, Yonhap News)