Mars and Antares

Mars and Antares are visible low in the southwest after sunset September 15. Antares, marking the Scorpion's heart, is a red supergiant and the brightest star in Scorpio. The name Antares means "Rival of Ares," or "Rival of Mars," since Mars is the Roman name for Ares, the Greek god of war, and its red color gives it the appearance of the planet Mars. Antares is one of the four royal stars of Persia and it marked the Autumnal Equinox roughly 3000 years ago. Transiting Mars won't actually conjoin Antares (10 Sagittarius) until Oct. 21

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