 |
| Examples of Mars diameters (apparent size) on July 31st 2018 at left and the predicted size on October 6th 2020. The distances from Mars to the Earth are 35.8 and 38.6 million miles respectively. Mars and the Earth line up for a close approach approximately every two years, called an opposition. Some are favorable and some not. Barring any obliterating dust storms during the oppositional time period of closest approach, Mars 2020 should yield to showing some spectacular detail. |
Preparing for Mars 2020
All signs show Mars will become our future home when we become a multi-planetary species, therefore interest is ramping up like wildfire as Mars is making another close approach to the Earth in 2020. Now is the time to start preparing. If you missed Mars in 2018, the good news is Mars is once again making a very close approach to the Earth in upcoming 2020.
You still have enough time to purchase and arrange for delivery of a good size precision telescope in the diameter range of 4 to 16-inches for the best of Mars observing, watching its weather, seeing the changing polar cap made up of dry ice, performing routine planetary imaging with a CCD camera, and studying the surface features where future colonies will exist.
Barring any major dust storms like in 2018, a myriad of surface features will undoubtedly become visible in quality telescopes under skies of favorable seeing conditions. The apparent size difference from 35.8 in 2018 to 38.6 million miles in 2020 is minimal and viewing should be spectacular around the time of opposition, closest to the Earth on October 6th 2020.
This year Singularity Observatory is prepared with two of the world's largest and most powerful amped telescopes, the fully functional and spectacular 1,325-inch telescope and the amazing 1,800-inch telescope. These telescopes are amped 100X and have their optical surfaces coated with specialized light constructive enhancing dielectrics.
1,800-inch Amped Telescope
https://space1usa.blogspot.com/2018/06/hso-largest-telescope-in-world.html
1,325-inch Amped Telescope
https://space1usa.blogspot.com/2019/03/space1-singularity-observatory-1125.html
Mars Speed
Mars is moving fast along in its elliptical orbit. It's speeding towards the Earth on the average at 53,687 miles an hour with its orbital speed. It will arrive closest to the Earth on October 6th 2020. However, given the variability in Mars conditions and the changing Earth's weather and seeing conditions, making observations at least a month before and a month after opposition is a good idea.
Mars Observing Prospects
Expect large Martian dust storms during Summer seasons when the SPC big melt is sublimating and CO2 and water vapor is deposited directly into the atmosphere. Catch the best surface views prior to any storm outbreaks.
