Friends of the DAO presents Virtual Star Parties Monthly from the Autumnal Equinox to the Winter Solstice.

7pm - 8:30pm September 19th: Zoom Link

Sky Tour: Come see the sky as if you were up on Observatory Hill! We’ll present images that you would see if you were sitting with us in the Plaskett Telescope

Mars Opposition: Early next month is the best time to see Mars for several years. Mars is in opposition, directly opposite the Sun in the sky and at the closest point of its orbit to Earth. It’s also a Perihelic Opposition, meaning that it is closer to the Sun than on other Oppositions

Presenters: Robert Conrad and Andrew Krysa

Title: Mars Opposition - What's the "Big" (Pun Intended) Deal

After this presentation you will be able to:

• Explain what opposition is and why it's the best time to view the Martian planet

• Locate Mars in the night sky and identify the constellation that currently houses it

• Identify the best time of night to view Mars and why that matters

• Identify distinguishable surface features in a telescope

• Explain the motion of the planet across the sky including retrograde motion

• Identify resources that will help you know when Mars and other planets are visible and at their viewing best

Biographies: Robert and Andrew are Education directors with the RASC Vancouver Centre. Robert is also the observing director and former SFU continuing education astronomy instructor. The energetic and knowledgeable astronomy duo often give presentations on various topics both virtually and to a wide array of audiences. They currently are co-authoring an astronomy book that fills in the gaps that often cause beginners to abandon the hobby.