On January 17, 2025, Mars will reach opposition, positioning it at its closest distance to Earth. This event allows for optimal observation conditions, with Mars appearing alongside Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus in the night sky.
Kazem Kookarm, spokesperson for the Iranian Amateur Astronomy Society, stated that during opposition, Mars will be closer to Earth than at any other time. The best viewing opportunities will occur in the late evenings of January, particularly on the night of the 17th.
At opposition, Mars rises immediately after sunset and reaches its highest point in the sky at midnight, making it an ideal target for telescope observation. The planet will be distinctly visible with a bright orange hue, set against the backdrop of the Gemini constellation.
Observers can expect to see features such as polar caps and the vast Syrtis Major region on Mars's surface through telescopes. However, its moons, Phobos and Deimos, will be too faint to detect.
To locate Mars, observers should face east immediately after sunset, where the bright celestial object will be visible just above the horizon. Jupiter will also be visible in the Taurus constellation, slightly above Mars.
In addition to Mars and Jupiter, Venus and Saturn will be visible in the western sky. This alignment offers a rare opportunity to see four bright planets simultaneously shortly after sunset.
While Neptune and Uranus are present in the night sky, they require telescopes for observation. Mars opposition occurs approximately every two years, and on January 17, the distance from Mars to Earth will be about 96 million kilometers, gradually increasing after this date.