More Photos (2):
CORT WAREHOUSE/DRIVER Education Assessment Technology, Inc Social Studies Content Writer Construction Komatsu Equipment Co Mechanic Health Care Rio Salado College PA's/Online Instructors General CORT Warehouse Supervisor CalienteMars seems to be making pass at Regulusarizona daily star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 07.20.2006
Sky Spy
If you're still on the fence about buying season tickets for the University of Arizona's upcoming football season, you might take this beautiful pairing of red and blue as a sign of good things to come.
I'm thinking bowl game, a minor bowl game mind you, but a bowl game nonetheless.
Though they're actually more than 75 light years apart, the planet Mars and the bright star Regulus in the constellation Leo will sit just one degree apart tonight from our vantage point, and will appear to be even closer Friday and Saturday night.
While observers gifted with good naked-eye vision and optimal surroundings will be able to pick the red tint of Mars and the bluish tint of Regulus, you'll want binoculars to do justice to this close pairing.
Set your sights just a little north of due west about 8:15 p.m. to catch the show. Tonight, Mars will appear just a little to the north, or right, of Regulus. By Saturday night, you'll see the Red Planet on the other side of what's also known as the Lion's Heart Star.
The blue in Regulus is not exactly navy, and the Red Planet is a lot more orange than red, but let's not get technical.
x Contact reporter Thomas Stauffer at 573-4197 or tstauffer@azstarnet.com
|
|