Mars returns to glory
March 2012: The solar system's inner two planets, Mercury and Venus, both put on their best evening displays of the year this month, while Mars arrives at opposition and peak visibility.
By Martin Ratcliffe
By Alister Ling
Published:
January 23, 2012
 The Red Planet comes closer to Earth than it has in two years, providing earthbound observers with exquisite views. Credit: ESA/MPS/OSIRIS Team
The opposite part of the sky witnesses its own drama as Mars arrives at opposition and peak visibility. It ranks number four on the brightness scale this month, with only two brighter planets and the star Sirius beating it. And if that isn’t enough, gorgeous Saturn brightens as it approaches its April opposition. |
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