how to... image mars and the moon

On the evening of 27 July, a much-redder lunar companion will be rising with the Red Planet just beneath it, shining at its brightest for years. Here’s how to make sure you take photos of this rare event you’ll be proud of

The Red Planet will rise with a lunar eclipse

Cross your fingers for a clear sky on the evening of 27 July. Not only will there be a total eclipse of the Moon, but Mars will look very striking in the sky too because it will be at opposition, closer to us and brighter in the sky than it has been for years. As if that wasn’t enough, for a brief time we’ll be able to see the totally eclipsed Moon and Mars shining close together in the sky, just above the horizon! Here’s how to make sure you take great photographs of this very rare treat.

Look for an observing site well in advance, somewhere with a clear view to the south east, with no high buildings or hills to block your view. A few low trees will provide an attractive foreground for your photos.

Timing will be crucial, so be in place at least half an hour before moonrise on the big night so you have plenty of time to set up your camera and tripod. From the UK the Moon will rise already totally eclipsed (8:50pm London, 9:25pm Edinburgh) with Mars following some 40 minutes behind. Because totality ends at 10:15 there will only be a very small period in which you can capture the sight of the red, totally eclipsed Moon shining close to bright-orange Mars in the sky.

Set a time delay on your camera to reduce shaking it at the start of exposures, and make sure you have the correct ISO and exposure settings for your camera before things start happening; the last thing you want is to be frantically twiddling dials and pressing buttons when the Moon peeps over the horizon!

You’ll be able to tell in advance exactly where the Moon will rise because the sky will start to brighten in that direction. Point your camera fitted with a zoom lens at that part of the sky, focusing sharply on any trees or buildings on the skyline to ensure the eclipsed Moon will be in focus when it appears. As the Moon rises, quickly adjust your camera so the Moon appears as big as possible and take various exposures of between one and four seconds.

Just before Mars is due to rise swap your zoom lens for a standard 50mm lens, so you can capture the eclipsed Moon and Mars in the same field of view (they’ll be too far apart for a zoom lens). Try several different exposure times until your images clearly show the colours of both the eclipsed Moon and Mars. Changing to a wide-angle lens will let you take lovely images showing the pair surrounded by the pink summer sky.