The Svábhegy Observatory in Budapest has announced a spectacular celestial event visible in early December. In the eastern sky, the fiery red planet Mars will align closely with the Beehive Cluster, also known as Praesepe. The conjunction offers a rare and dazzling sight, with Mars appearing to hover near the brilliant blue stars of the cluster.
What makes this event unique is Mars’ retrograde motion, which causes the planet to appear almost stationary in the sky, lingering near the cluster for an entire week. According to the Observatory’s statement, the phenomenon can be observed on any clear night between 28 November and 10 December.
The closest approach will occur on 4 December at 3:30am, when Mars will be just 1.7 degrees from the edge of the Beehive Cluster. The celestial pair will be visible high above the southern horizon, at an elevation of approximately 63 degrees.
Mars, which completes its orbit every two years, will reach its closest point to Earth on 12 January 2025, at a distance of 96 million kilometres. By then, it will become a bright and striking feature in the night sky, with its polar ice caps and greyish-blue seas visible through telescopes.
Praesepe, or the Beehive Cluster, is one of the nearest open star clusters to Earth, containing over 1,000 stars. Situated in the Cancer constellation, it is visible as a faint, misty patch to the naked eye under dark skies. Its proximity and expansive size make it an ideal target for amateur stargazers.
The Svábhegy Observatory is hosting a special rooftop observation session on Sunday evening to celebrate this alignment. December will also focus on Mars’ observation, a rare opportunity that will not recur for another two years.
The Observatory encourages enthusiasts to take advantage of the clear winter skies to witness this rare conjunction. For more information on their programmes, visit Svábhegy Observatory’s website.
Whether using a small telescope or simply gazing with the naked eye, this celestial show is set to captivate and inspire observers across Hungary.
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