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Mars is reaching a apparent diameter of 15.0" on April 8th, 2014, which means the Red Planet is lying at a opposition. The opposition, for a superior planet -which is a planet situated beyond the Earth relative to the Sun- occurs when the relative motion of both the Earth and the planet brings them in line together with the Sun. That specific moment makes that the planet is at its best observable, with its largest apparent diameter, its brightest magnitude as it rises by sunset and sets by sunrise. for more about the remarkable positions of planets, check our tutorial Planets Apparent Motion. As far as most of superior planets are concerned, the opposition occurs yearly as due to the greatest proximity of Mars and that its relative motion combined with that of the Earth, the opposition of Mars only occurs about each 26 months. Afficionados then are speaking of a 'Mars Observation Campaign', or 'Martian Observation Campaign.' For that opposition, it is spanning over both 2013 and 2014, with the opposition proper reached on April 8th, 2014 by 20:11 UT, at a 15.0" of apparent diameter and the -1.5st magnitude. Mars will keep at the 15.1" of apparent diameter and the -1.5st magnitude between April 9-13th, 2014, which is a mean opposition. Mars opposition are too a good opportunity for non-afficionados to get into the discovery of the Red Planet, as they can take advantage of Mars largest apparent diameter. Mars afficionados, as far as they are concerned, are encompassing a Mars Observation Campagin like the period including the opposition self and running from when Mars is reaching, and leaving, 6" of apparent diameter. Below, they deem that the planet is not, or few worth the observation. For that Mars Observation Campaign, that spans December 12th, 2013-October 4th, 2014
. check Mars data in 2013 and 2014
 | Mars at the opposition, as seen from the northern hemisphere, in constellation Virgo and its configuration at the very time of the opposition, on April 8th, 2014, with Mare Acidalium, Chryse and Argyre in sight! |
By the day of the opposition, on April 8th, 2014, Mars, by 10:30 p.m. local time, will lie in constellation Virgo, as a fine background sky will be provided to the observation, with Mars not that far from Spica. Arcturus will overhang the scenery as Saturn will have rised. That sky area, at that time in the northern hemisphere, will be relatively low, by 29°. of altitude, somewhat before southeast. At 58° the show is much higher at the tropics and past East somewhat as Mars, in the southern hemisphere will lie high too, by 51° of altitude, and before northeast. Observers everywhere, and especially in the northern hemisphere will benefit to wait Mars to climb higher for better observing conditions. Observers will also take notice that waxing gibbous Moon will be present in the sky on April 8th, 2014, in constellation Cancer, the Crab by 10:30 p.m. local time
The diagram below is showing how Mars will transition, in terms of apparent diameter and magnitude, between December 12th, 2013 and October 4th, 2014. data for 00:00 UT, geocentric, with Cartes du Ciel, Patrick Chevalley; views of the apparent diameter of Mars with Celestia
