The Noose of Mars in 2022

Photographer: Paolo Bardelli Summary Author: Paolo Bardelli Whenever the opposition of Mars occurs, it's interesting to follow its looping path in the sky relative to the stars. The approach of the Earth to the Red Planet and its progressive distancing,...

Photographer: Paolo BardelliSummary Author: Paolo BardelliWhenever the opposition of Mars occurs, it's interesting to follow its looping path in the sky relative to the stars. The approach of the Earth to the Red Planet and its progressive distancing, due to a perspective effect, causes a double inversion of the apparent motion of the latter, creating what appears to be a noose in the sky. These images of Mars were taken from August 12, 2022, to March 22, 2023, every night, weather permitting. They were aligned with the background stars in the rich star field of the constellation of Taurus.

In February 2023, Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) crossed the loop of Mars. Note the Pleiades star cluster at right center.

Photo Details: Background is a sum of 13 images taken on a very clear night from the top of Mount Cadrigna (1,304 m), Italy, on the evening of December 27, 2022. Background: Canon 60Da camera; Canon 28 mm lens; f/5.6; 120 seconds exposure; 2000 ISO; Vixen Polarie star tracker. Sequence: Canon 6D camera; Canon 50 mm lens; f/5.6; 1000 ISO; Vixen Polarie star tracker. Processing: Iris; Startrails; Photoshop.

Monte Cadrigna, Italy Coordinates: 46.0715, 8.7690

Related Links: Noose of Mars in 2020Noose of Mars in 2018