What would astronomy be like on Mars?

We find out what you’d be able to see if you were a Martian stargazer

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Sunset on Mars taken by the Curiosity rover

Sunset on Mars imaged by the Curiosity rover. Image Credit: NASA

Asked by Tim Bennett

It wouldn’t be too dissimilar from astronomy on Earth. Without an ozone layer though, you would have the added advantage of being able to make ultraviolet observations of the Sun from the surface of Mars.

As seen from the Red Planet, Earth and our Moon appear star-like to the naked eye. With the use of a telescope, you would be able to see them as crescents along with some detail on both surfaces of these worlds. Mars’s moons – Phobos and Deimos – would also be seen in the Martian night sky. Phobos would appear about a third the size of our Moon while Deimos would be a star-like point. Other phenomena such as comets and meteors can also be seen from the Red Planet as proven by the rovers on its surface.

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