Lewis Dartnell, Professor of Science Communication, has written an article for BBC Sky at Night Magazine about whether it would be possible to see the Earth pass in front of the Sun whilst standing on Mars.
The article notes that from Earth, it’s possible to see a transit of Venus and a transit of Mercury, and that these transits occur because Venus and Mercury’s orbits are closer to the Sun than Earth’s orbit.
Speaking about whether it would be possible to witness a transit of the Earth if we were standing on Mars, Professor Dartnell explains: “A transit of Earth can be seen from Mars in intervals of between 25 and 100 years. These transits usually occur in pairs 79 years apart, similar to the transits of Venus seen from Earth (where pairs of transits are 8 years apart, but the pairs themselves are over 100 years apart).”
He continues: “From Earth’s point of view during such an event, Mars is in opposition and appears to be uniformly lit by the Sun. The interesting thing about an Earth transit of the Sun as opposed to transits of Mercury or Venus, is that the Moon would also be visible alongside the Earth as it slides in front of the Sun.”
Read the full article on the BBC Sky at Night Magazine website.
Related articles
