When to look
Mars reaches opposition on February 19, 2027 at 15:45 UT, and it is closest to Earth a few hours later, on February 20, 2027 at 00:14 UT, at about 101.4 million km (63.0 million miles) (ALPO Mars Section (opens in new tab), In-The-Sky.org (opens in new tab)). In US and Canadian time zones that closest approach falls on the evening of February 19.
This is a far opposition. Astronomers call it aphelic, because Mars is near the far point of its orbit, so it looks smaller than at the 2018 or 2020 oppositions (ALPO Mars Section (opens in new tab)). Its disk peaks at about 13.8 arcseconds (ALPO Mars Section (opens in new tab)). It will still be one of the brightest points in the winter sky.
Where to look
Mars sits in Leo at opposition (ALPO Mars Section (opens in new tab)). It rises in the east around sunset, is highest around midnight, and sets near sunrise. Look for a steady orange-red point that does not twinkle. The Mars disk is larger than 6 arcseconds from mid October 2026 to early July 2027, so telescope owners have months to work with, not one night (ALPO Mars Section (opens in new tab)).
Moon interference
The Full Moon falls on February 20, 2027, the same night as the lunar eclipse page on this site. That night also brings a faint penumbral lunar eclipse, greatest at 23:13 UT (Wikipedia: February 2027 lunar eclipse (opens in new tab)). Check local phases with timeanddate (opens in new tab). A bright Moon will not hide Mars, but it will wash out the stars around it. If you want a dark sky as well, go out in the week before or after.
Where to go
February is cold. Southern dark-sky parks are the comfortable choice:
- Big Bend National Park, Texas
- Death Valley National Park, California
- Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah In Canada, Mont-Megantic in Quebec runs winter programs; check the park page before you go.
What to pack
- Serious winter layers, insulated boots, hand warmers
- A red light and a thermos of something hot
- A telescope at 100x or more for surface markings and the polar cap; binoculars show only the colour
Quick answers
When is Mars at opposition in 2027? February 19, 2027 (ALPO Mars Section (opens in new tab)).
When is Mars closest to Earth? February 20, 2027 at 00:14 UT, which is the evening of February 19 in North America (ALPO Mars Section (opens in new tab)).
Why does Mars look smaller than in 2020? 2027 is an aphelic opposition, with Mars near the far side of its orbit (ALPO Mars Section (opens in new tab)).
What constellation is Mars in? Leo (ALPO Mars Section (opens in new tab)).