Tribune News Network
Doha
THE red planet, Mars, will be at its Aphelion point (farthest point from the Sun) on Monday (August 26) where it will be approximately 249 million kilometres away from the sun’s centre, Qatar Calendar house (QCH) announced on Sunday.
This astronomical phenomenon is considered very important because it occurs once in every two years, said a QCH press release.
Mars reached its Aphelion point last time on October 8, 2017, and will be reaching again its farthest point from the sun on July 13, 2021, QCH’s Expert Astronomer Dr Beshir Marzouk said. The astronomer pointed out that the variation of the distance between Mars and the sun determines surface heating and brightness of Mars, which is 31 percent less at aphelion point compared to perihelion point (nearest point to the sun).
Dr Marzouk said that the residents of Qatar and other Arab countries will, however, not be able to watch the celestial spectacle because the sunlight will hide Mars.
Doha
THE red planet, Mars, will be at its Aphelion point (farthest point from the Sun) on Monday (August 26) where it will be approximately 249 million kilometres away from the sun’s centre, Qatar Calendar house (QCH) announced on Sunday.
This astronomical phenomenon is considered very important because it occurs once in every two years, said a QCH press release.
Mars reached its Aphelion point last time on October 8, 2017, and will be reaching again its farthest point from the sun on July 13, 2021, QCH’s Expert Astronomer Dr Beshir Marzouk said. The astronomer pointed out that the variation of the distance between Mars and the sun determines surface heating and brightness of Mars, which is 31 percent less at aphelion point compared to perihelion point (nearest point to the sun).
Dr Marzouk said that the residents of Qatar and other Arab countries will, however, not be able to watch the celestial spectacle because the sunlight will hide Mars.