Mars' celestial and local paths (update)

Event Date: November 30th

Time: 5:15 PM

Brief

   Let's back the clock up about 45 minutes [from yesterday's entry], and see how Mars is doing; still "hovering" the horizon after Sunset for the last several weeks.  This makes sense, because for the next few weeks, Mars will seemingly be the same altitude at this time on the clock.  As shown by its local path below, coupled with its celestial path, we notice two things: (1) the local path reminds us that the geometry of the west-southwestern sky is slowly improving, as we get close to December; (2) the celestial path reminds us how quickly Mars is picking up speed in pro-grade motion; fast enough to pull away from the Sun to a point where it won't reach conjunction until March of next year.

   Here is Mars, and paths shown over the last 9 weeks: 

click on images to enlarge: courtesy of Starry Night Pro Plus, version 6.4.3, by Simulation Curriculum Corp.

Detailed

   Although hard to notice, the increment markers for the orange celestial path are slightly further apart between where the Sun is shown, and where Mars is.  Of course, the Sun covers the path since it has played "catchup" with Mars over the last few months while the planet has been low in the west.  As for the local path, we see it "level out", as the clock's time is the same each day.  For a long time, this path had a steep slope, but221  not now!  Mars' apparition continues remain decent for viewing for about 30 minutes after Sunset, before falling into atmospheric pollution.  At a little dimmer than +1, viewing time is short, and will become shorter each month as the planet finally gets too close to the Sun's glare.  Try for it, yet remember to stay away from too many buildings and trees that could obstruct the view.