The biggest cause of that difference is that any two planets are not always going to be on the same side of the Sun. Mars is about 225 million kilometres from the Sun on average, and Earth is...
The biggest cause of that difference is that any two planets are not always going to be on the same side of the Sun. Mars is about 225 million kilometres from the Sun on average, and Earth is about 150 million kilometres from the Sun on average. When the two planets are on opposite sides of the Sun, they're about 225 + 150 = 375 million kilometres apart (the distance from Mars on one side to the Sun in the middle, then the distance from the Sun in the middle to Earth on the other side). But, when the two planets are on the same side of the Sun, they're only about 225 - 150 = 75 million kilometres apart.
Here's a neat video with a visualization of their orbits. At their maximum distance apart, Mars is on the other side of the sun, and isn't even visible because you'd have to look through the sun...
At their maximum distance apart, Mars is on the other side of the sun, and isn't even visible because you'd have to look through the sun to see it. Around that time, it would appear near the sun in our sky, so it won't be visible due to daylight.
Right now, we're close to the sun, Earth, and Mars forming a line, so the entire day side of Mars is facing the entire night side of Earth. That causes a big increase in apparent brightness, as well as the close approach meaning it appears larger from our perspective.
35,8Mmi instead of the average 140? I never realized the distance between planets could vary THAT much, I'm gonna prepare my camera.
The biggest cause of that difference is that any two planets are not always going to be on the same side of the Sun. Mars is about 225 million kilometres from the Sun on average, and Earth is about 150 million kilometres from the Sun on average. When the two planets are on opposite sides of the Sun, they're about 225 + 150 = 375 million kilometres apart (the distance from Mars on one side to the Sun in the middle, then the distance from the Sun in the middle to Earth on the other side). But, when the two planets are on the same side of the Sun, they're only about 225 - 150 = 75 million kilometres apart.
Oh, how didn't I think of that! That makes perfect sense, thank you.
Here's a neat video with a visualization of their orbits.
At their maximum distance apart, Mars is on the other side of the sun, and isn't even visible because you'd have to look through the sun to see it. Around that time, it would appear near the sun in our sky, so it won't be visible due to daylight.
Right now, we're close to the sun, Earth, and Mars forming a line, so the entire day side of Mars is facing the entire night side of Earth. That causes a big increase in apparent brightness, as well as the close approach meaning it appears larger from our perspective.
Neat, thanks!