Here in the D.R. next week we will be one of the few areas on the planet priveleged to see our moon occulting a very close by and stunningly bright planet Mars.
The moon will pass in front of Mars early in the morning of Thursday, July 17th, starting around 3:55AM-4:00AM local time depending on where you are on the island, and exit from behind the moon's disk in twilight at 5:25AM-5:30AM. Mars will enter behind the moon top and left, and leave bottom right.
Watch as it disappears and you will notice it'll take about two minutes for Mars to slowly "wink out" as it'll take that long for the planet's entire disk to move behind the moon as seen from here. If you've got a telescope or binocluars even it should be quite a sight.
Here's a link with more information for those interested:
http://www.space.com/spacewatch/moon_mars_030711.html#eclipse
The moon will pass in front of Mars early in the morning of Thursday, July 17th, starting around 3:55AM-4:00AM local time depending on where you are on the island, and exit from behind the moon's disk in twilight at 5:25AM-5:30AM. Mars will enter behind the moon top and left, and leave bottom right.
Watch as it disappears and you will notice it'll take about two minutes for Mars to slowly "wink out" as it'll take that long for the planet's entire disk to move behind the moon as seen from here. If you've got a telescope or binocluars even it should be quite a sight.
Here's a link with more information for those interested:
http://www.space.com/spacewatch/moon_mars_030711.html#eclipse