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Once every 25 months, the Earth 'overtakes' Mars as the two planets
circle the Sun. It happens this month. Mars is said to be in
'opposition' (in the opposite direction to the Sun as seen from Earth)
on December 24, but due to its somewhat elliptical orbit, is slightly
closer to Earth on December 19. During this month, Mars is therefore
at its brightest, being conspicuous over the eastern horizon and
standing in front of the constellation of Gemini. The sands of the
Martian deserts that cover almost the entire planet give Mars its
distinctive reddish hue.
High above Mars is the distinctive constellation of Orion, easily
identified by its line of three bright stars. Taurus lies to its left
and Canis Major to its right.
The Pleiades in Taurus is the most obvious cluster in the sky. Known
as Isilemela to local African people, its gradual progress from the
early morning sky (in June) to its disappearance into the evening
twilight (April) has served as an annual calendar.
The Moon is in the evening sky December 11 to 26.
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