JUST LIKE it hides the solar throughout a photo voltaic eclipse, the moon will cover Mars on the night of April 17 in what’s termed an ‘occultation’.
Like in a photo voltaic eclipse, the occasion will probably be seen over just some areas and the time will differ from place to put, mentioned Arvind Paranjpye, Director, Nehru Planetarium, Nehru Centre.
The moon will cover Mars round 5.30 pm on April 17, and the planet will reappear in about an hour and a half. The phenomenon will not be uncommon however, for a given location, it isn’t widespread both. The final such occultation, seen over India within the night, was on May 10, 2008. For India, at areas within the West, the occultation will start when the solar remains to be above the horizon.
Since Mars is distinctly seen to the bare eye, this occasion will be loved with none optical support. A pair of binoculars or a small telescope, nevertheless, will probably be helpful.
