The UF Department of Astronomy will host a Mars viewing event at the Campus Teaching Observatory at 9:30 p.m. Friday.
The event will be free and open to the public. Parking will be available in the Reitz Union garage on Museum Road.
The observatory will have several telescopes of varying sizes set up at the event so that guests can view Mars, other planets and stars. There will also be astronomers available to answer questions.
The idea for the event came because Mars reached opposition on July 27. Mars is at its brightest in opposition, when it comes into alignment with Earth and the Sun.
On July 31, Mars reached the closest point to Earth it will ever get during its orbit, making this week the best time to view the planet.
Francisco Reyes, an associate scientist and director of UF Teaching Observatories with the Department of Astronomy, said this event is a rare opportunity for both astronomers and the public.
“The last time Mars was this close was 2003. It won’t be this close again until 2032,” he said. “So, if you’ve ever wanted to try and observe Mars up close, this is the best chance you’ll get for a long time.”
Based on previous events the astronomy teaching center has hosted, Reyes estimates several hundred people may attend if the weather stays clear.
More information on the event can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/235162487106666/
Follow Charlie Daffron on Twitter @Charlie_Daffron and contact him at cdaffron@alligator.org.
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