Sunday, September 8, 2024

Mars Clips a Cluster (wee hours)

On the way to Mars' bright opposition in January, the red planet will slide closely past several planets and deep sky objects. On Sunday night, September 8, Mars will pass 0.9 degrees to the south) of the large open star cluster in Gemini named the Shoe-Buckle, Messier 35, and NGC 2168. The planet and the distant cluster will share the field of view in a backyard telescope from Friday to Wednesday, and in binoculars for a week on either side of September 8. Mars will approach the cluster from the west, but your telescope will
likely flip and/or mirror the view.

(Data Courtesy of Starry Night)
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