Close Approach of Mars and the Moon at Tue, 17 March 2026, 10:32
General information
The closest separation between Mars and Moon will occur on Tue, 17 March 2026, 10:32, when they will be separated by roughly 1.355°. The close approach occurs during daylight, making observation difficult.
Visibility window
The close approach begins when their separation drops below 2°, around 07:47, and ends when their separation grows beyond 2°, around 13:16. Observers can see them in the sky during this interval.Elevation & direction at closest approach
At the moment of closest approach, Mars and Moon will be approximately 43° above the horizon, in the South-Southeast.Constellation
At the time of the closest approach, both objects will be located in or near the constellation Aquarius, making it easier to locate them in the night sky.Close Approch Dynamics
The map shows the event as it appears from your location. You can switch to Global view to see geocentric (Earth-centered) coordinates.
Close Approach Details
| Mars | Moon | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | 10:32 | |
| Angular separation (°) | 1.36 | |
| Geocentric Coordinates | RA: 22h 55m 20s", Dec: -8° 03' 09s | RA: 22h 52m 46s", Dec: -6° 51' 19s |
| Topocentric Coordinates | RA: 22h 55m 20s", Dec: -8° 03' 12s | RA: 22h 51m 47s", Dec: -7° 31' 53s |
| Distance | 2.3167 AU (346,573,387 km) | 0.00253 AU (378,483 km) |
| Angular Size | 4" | 32' |
| Altitude (°) | 42 | 42 |
| Azimuth (°) | 156 South-Southeast | 155 South-Southeast |
Track Mars and Moon Relative Positions
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| Altitude | |
| Azimuth |
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