BANGKOK – The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) invites the public to see Mars close approach to Earth from 22 – 31 May 2016. Observation points will be set up in four provinces.
NARIT Deputy Director Saran Posayachinda said Mars would be opposite to the sun at a distance of 75 – 28 million kilometers on 22 May 2016. Mars would come nearest to Earth on 31 May 2016 at a distance of 75 – 28 million kilometers, closest to Earth in 11 years, said the deputy director.
During such period, Mars can be seen with the naked eye above the southeastern horizon. NARIT will provide observation points on 22 May from 6 AM – 10 PM at Siam Paragon in Bangkok, Sirindhorn Observatory Chiang Mai University in Chiang Mai, a national observatory in Nakhon Ratchasima and a national observatory in Chachoengsao. Another observation point will be open to the public on 31 May at Meya shopping center in Chiang Mai.
