Set your clocks and get ready to look up at the sky as this month is about to be your best chance to see Mars for the next 15 years.
Mars will make its closest approach to Earth in more than two years this month, and with NASA having described the red planet’s appearance as “effectively a ‘full’ Mars”, this offers us the best chance to view our planetary neighbour in nearly 20 years.
If the typical Manchester weather permits, that is.
The planet will be visible at night throughout October – rising the highest in the sky around midnight each night – and will shine in the east each evening and in the west before dawn, but next Tuesday 13th October is the big date to mark in your diaries though, as Mars will shine brighter in the sky than it has since 2003, and will not appear like this again until 2035.
Mars is a pretty impressive planet and one that we are learning more about everyday, but it doesn’t always make an appearance like this, so why are we so lucky this month?
ADVERTISEMENT
Well, according to NASA, it’s due to a celestial event known as the Mars’ Opposition.
Mars reaches opposition every 26 months – meaning Earth passes directly between the Sun and Mars – and this is due to take place next week.
ADVERTISEMENT
Millions of miles separate the Moon and Mars, but you’ll see them close together in the sky tonight (they’ll rise in the East around 8 pm local time). That’s because Earth, the Moon, and Mars are nearly lined up. Check out our virtual solar system: https://t.co/5YjIBXKLcGpic.twitter.com/ma46iZ6Xit
This event occurs as Mars and Earth don’t orbit the sun in perfect circles, or even on the same plane, and instead, the planets have elliptical orbits shaped like ovals, so for example, while Earth only takes 365 days to complete an orbit around the sun, Mars takes 687 days.
Basically, when Earth moves closer to the sun, Mars moves away from it.
The red planet is due to make its closest approach to Earth today, meaning that Mars will be 38,586,816 miles away from Earth – which, believe it or not, is actually close for Mars – and it won’t be this close again until 2035.
ADVERTISEMENT
The last time this happened was in 2003 when Mars made its closest approach to Earth in 60,000 years and came within a distance of 34.65 million miles.
Even though Mars is at its closest point tonight, it won’t actually be at its very brightest until next Tuesday, so although you’ll have a great view of it tonight, you should get an even better chance to pick it out in the night sky next week.
Fingers crossed for clear skies, right Manchester?
Trending
Katy Perry announces massive gig in Manchester next year
Thomas Melia
Pop chart-topper and overall legend Katy Perry is stopping off in Manchester as part of her new EU and UK tour dates.
The Roar singer will be heading to the AO Arena next October, alongside shows in Sheffield, Glasgow, Birmingham and London, with tickets on sale later this week.
Whether you’re going to watch hits like ‘California Gurls’, ‘Hot ‘N’ Cold’ or excited for the newer tracks like ‘I’m His, He’s Mine’, one thing is for certain you’ll have to ‘Swish Swish’ past a lot of people for these in-demand tickets.
In a new video uploaded to her social media channels, holding a Union Jack flag with a mini microphone attached to it, Katy Perry has revealed she can’t wait to ‘share a cuppa’ with us. We’ve already got the kettle brewing.
There’s a real connection between the former American Idol judge and our beautiful country, with her performing at Buckingham Palace for the Coronation Concert in 2023 and more recently bringing an exclusive ‘A Night Of A Lifetime’ show to ITV this winter.
Perry has the second most Diamond-certified singles in for a female artist in the U.S, four guiness world records and five UK number one hits.
Her latest album ‘143’, which is a numeric synonym of ‘I love you’ and the singer’s angel number, came out mid-September featuring three standout singles, ‘Woman’s World’, ‘Lifetimes and the aforementioned ‘I’m His, He’s Mine’, a collaboration with upcoming rapper Doechii.
The American performer hasn’t had it easy with the rollout of her seventh studio album coming under fire for working with controversial record producer Dr. Luke.
In 2014, the American producer was part of a nine year long court case with musician Kesha which has now reached an agreement, however Luke is still heavily involved with the music industry working on songs with artists like Nicki Minaj, Doja Cat and Kim Petras.
This tour is a poignant one as the global superstar is set to donate £1 from every ticket to Music Venue Trust which will be distributed to UK grassroots music venues.
After a sensational and career-defining Vegas residency titled ‘PLAY’ which featured a giant toilet as stage decorum, it’s no surprise that this run of UK shows are set to be just as captivating and outrageous.
Katy Perry is bringing ‘The Lifetimes Tour’ to Manchester’s AO Arena on October with pre-sale tickets going live on 20 November and general onsale on 22 November HERE.
Oldham mansion that starred in an iconic pop music video is up for sale
Thomas Melia
A Greater Manchester mansion that’s featured in one of the most famous music videos of the past decade is now up for sale.
Situated in the picturesque village of Uppermill, Oldham, Ashcroft House is currently listed at £2,350,000 accepting offers in the region of this figure.
The property has six bedrooms, six baths and five reception rooms – this mansion is a party host’s dream.
Ashcroft House has four storeys with the lower ground floor currently set up as a gym space and the ground floor boasting an eye-catching grand entrance hall.
This isn’t everything the lower ground floor has to offer. There are a number of breakout rooms such as a wine store, cinema room and your own personal steam room.
When going up another flight of stairs, the first floor’s main selling point besides the very large balcony is the matched walk in wardrobes paired with each of the six sleeping quarters, yes please!
The girls styling themselves in one of the many walk in wardrobes at Ashcroft House.The bold statement front door in the Oldham mansion.Credit: Youtube (@littlemix)
Finally, if that wasn’t enough to draw you in, there is another flight of stairs leading to the second floor which is currently acting as the house’s ever-impressive storage area.
With the rolling hills of Saddleworth nearby and a local pub a ten minute walk away, how could life possibly get any better?
Oh wait it does! In 2016 one of the UK’s best selling girl groups of all time shot a music video for their worldwide hit right here in these very four walls.
X Factor prodigies and three time BRIT award winning girl group Little Mix perched up with their film crew to spend 21 hours recording the video for their groundbreaking single ‘Hair’.
The video itself has amassed nearly 500 million views on social media platform Youtube since being released eight years ago.
The grand staircase that greets you as you enter this Greater Manchester property.The Little Mix girls having a bite to eat in Ashcroft House.Credit: Youtube (@littlemix)
The previous owner of the house even revealed that once the music video shoot wrapped up, the girls stayed with the family to share a slice of pizza or two.
If you’re interested in owning a piece of pop culture history or just as nosey as we are you can take a virtual tour of this mansion in Oldham here.
Emily Sergeant -
6th October 2020 
