Planet Positions Conjunction and Opposition Conjunction vs Opposition

Conjunction vs. Opposition Superior Planets** (Ex: Mars) 1) Superior Conjunction – Mars is on

Superior Conjunction vs. Inferior Conjunction Inferior Planets* (Ex: Venus) 1) Superior Conjunction – Venus

1) Inferior Planets (Ex: Venus) Since Venus and Mercury are lit up, they must

Mars at Opposition means the Sun and Mars are on exactly opposite sides of

Mars at Opposition Since Mars is on the same side of the Sun as

Ne xt O pp os iti on The last opposition was in 2012. Earth

Ne xt O pp os iti on The next opposition will be in 2018.

Ne xt O pp os iti on Why will Mars be so much closer

Mars’ orbital plane is slightly tilted relative to Earth’s orbital plane. When the two

Slides: 15

Download presentation

Planet Positions Conjunction and Opposition

Conjunction vs. Opposition Superior Planets** (Ex: Mars) 1) Superior Conjunction – Mars is on the other side of the Sun (like Superior Conjunction for Venus). “Full” and small (Ex: Mars – Sun – Earth ) 2) Opposition – Mars is on the opposite side of Earth from the Sun. “Full” and very big. Superior planets are closer and bigger at opposition than at any other time! (Ex: Mars – Earth – Sun) **Definition: A superior planet is one that is farther from the Sun than Earth.

Superior Conjunction vs. Inferior Conjunction Inferior Planets* (Ex: Venus) 1) Superior Conjunction – Venus is on the other side of the sun. “Full” = entirely lit up and very small (Ex: Venus – Sun – Earth ) 1) Inferior Conjunction – Venus is between the Earth and Sun; “New” = entirely dark and large (Ex: Sun – Venus – Earth) **Definition: An inferior planet is one that is closer to the sun than Earth.

1) Inferior Planets (Ex: Venus) Since Venus and Mercury are lit up, they must be in Superior Conjunction (on the far side of the sun from Earth) 2) Superior Planets (Ex: Mars) Since they are appearing near sunrise, Mars and Jupiter are in Superior Conjunction as well.

Mars at Opposition

Mars at Opposition means the Sun and Mars are on exactly opposite sides of Earth. Closest opposition occurred in August, 2003

Mars at Opposition Since Mars is on the same side of the Sun as Earth , that means that Mars is closer to Earth during opposition than any other time of year.

Ne xt O pp os iti on The last opposition was in 2012. Earth and Mars were just 63 million miles apart.

Ne xt O pp os iti on The next opposition will be in 2018. Earth and Mars will be 36 million miles apart.

Ne xt O pp os iti on Why will Mars be so much closer to Earth in 2018? Has Mars ever come closer to Earth? When? ?

Mars’ orbital plane is slightly tilted relative to Earth’s orbital plane. When the two orbital planes overlap at the same time as opposition occurs, the planets can pass even closer to each other.