[Explanation] On October 12, the reporter learned from the Purple Mountain Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences that the "Mars against the sun" celestial phenomenon will appear in Tianyu on the 14th.

　　[Explanation] According to experts from the Purple Mountain Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the period from mid-September to mid-November will be a good opportunity to observe Mars in about two months.

On the 14th, around the opposition to the sun, Mars observation conditions reached the best.

　　[Concurrent] Hu Fanghao, Head of Science Popularization, Purple Mountain Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences

　　During this "Mars opposition", (Mars) was about 63 million kilometers away from the Earth. Although this is a bit farther than the 58 million kilometers during the Mars opposition in 2018, its observation conditions are still good.

After the sun "set" in the evening, the orange-red Mars will slowly rise from the east (horizon), and the brightness of the day can reach -2.6 magnitude, which is brighter than Jupiter that day.

　　[Explanation] Hu Fanghao told reporters that the so-called opposition of Mars to the sun refers to the moment when Mars and the sun are located on both sides of the earth, that is, when the yellow longitude of Mars and the sun is 180 degrees apart.

Among the major planets, only outer planets can have opposing spectacles, such as Saturn opposing the sun, Jupiter opposing the sun, etc.

The rendezvous period between Mars and the Earth is as long as 780 days, so every two years or so, humans can observe a Martian opposition.

Before and after the opposition, it is generally a good time to observe Mars.

　　[Concurrent] Hu Fanghao, Head of Science Popularization, Purple Mountain Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences

　　This time when Mars is in opposition to the sun, the apparent diameter of Mars can reach 22.3 arc seconds, which is a lot larger than the next time in "Mars opposition." You can use a telescope when observing Mars and look forward to more details on the surface of Mars.

　　[Commentary] By then, Mars will be visible all night, brighter than Jupiter, and interested astronomers should not miss it.

　　Reporter Ge Yong from Nanjing, Jiangsu

Editor in charge: [Liu Xian]