Mars approaching opposition

[N1 (Mirko)]

Q: How do you find Mars when it's near opposition?
A: Find the gegenschein, and Mars will be in it

Q: How do you know Mars is not quite at opposition yet?
A: It's not centred on the gegenschein yet



Also note M's 31 and 45 rising almost simultaneously, left and right of Mars.

[multiweb (Marc)]

I saw the Gegenschein only once up ahead on a moonless night from Coonabarabran and the milky way was wrapped below 5 degrees all around the horizon. Can you still see it it with Mars bright in the middle of it? I recall it is extremely faint even with no light at all.

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

that really is an awesome photo Mirko. well captured