# @europeanspaceagency on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DE5NATlsIP5
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/35582237-europeanspaceagency-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/4371d290a1.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-01-16T16:50:00.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** J.L.Lopez (@xandler80) — https://gondola.cc/xandler80

## Caption

A Wolf Moon, a Red Planet, and a game of celestial hide-and-seek 🔴🌕 

January’s full Moon, also known as the Wolf Moon, illuminated the night sky with a striking reddish companion — Mars! This stunning composite image and timelapse were captured at the Observatorio del Teide in Tenerife, Spain, on 14 January 2025. It shows Mars seemingly playing hide-and-seek as it passed behind the Moon.

But what made Mars so dazzling? When Earth positions itself perfectly between the Sun and Mars, the Red Planet shines at its brightest. Astronomers call this alignment Mars at opposition, and it’s a real treat for stargazers. During this time, Mars reflects maximum sunlight, revealing its intricate features to anyone fortunate enough to have a telescope handy.

Did you know?
Mars at opposition occurs every 789 days — or about every two years. At this point, Earth and Mars are at their closest, separated by just 96 million km! This cosmic dance not only creates spectacular views but also plays a key role in space exploration.

Speaking of Mars missions, we’re eagerly counting down to 2028, when the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin mission will take off. This state-of-the-art autonomous rover will drill up to 2 metres beneath the Martian surface in search of signs of life. With launch windows in September and December 2028, this mission aims to outmanoeuvre Mars’s notorious dust storms and make the most of its time for groundbreaking science.

Swipe through to see Mars in all its glory, captured between 13 and 14 January 2025.

Are you ready to explore the Red Planet?

📸 iac_astrofisica / el_cielo_de_canarias, Carmelo González

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 21,884
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 62

## Credits

These are the roles credited on Gondola. Credits may be incomplete.
A brand, account owner, or featured person is not necessarily the creator.

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| ESA - European Space Agency | @europeanspaceagency | https://gondola.cc/europeanspaceagency | Government Organization |
| J.L.Lopez | @xandler80 | https://gondola.cc/xandler80 | Producer |
| J.L.Lopez | @xandler80 | https://gondola.cc/xandler80 | Editor |
| J.L.Lopez | @xandler80 | https://gondola.cc/xandler80 | Social Media Manager |
| J.L.Lopez | @xandler80 | https://gondola.cc/xandler80 | Publisher |
| J.L.Lopez | @xandler80 | https://gondola.cc/xandler80 | Copywriter |
| J.L.Lopez | @xandler80 | https://gondola.cc/xandler80 | Community Manager |

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