Calling all space fans, get excited because Mars is going to be close to Earth. Today, Tuesday, October 6th, Mars will come the closest to Earth and it will not happen again until 2035 according to NASA.
Known as the Mars Close Approach, the event happens every two years and follows Earth and Mars. Normally the distance between the two is 38.6 million miles. Today, the closest distance will be 33.9 million miles away from Earth. When Mars, Earth, and the sun become aligned, Mars will be visible for much of the night in the southern sky and will be at its highest point around midnight according to NASA.
Tonight, Mars will appear very bright in the Earth’s sky, making it easier to see with a telescope or your own eyes. A viewing of Mars that only comes around once every 15 to 17 years according to NASA.
Ways to see Mars:
Go outside and look up- depending on your local weather and lighting conditions you should be able to see Mars. Mars will be the brightest planet in the sky.
To date, in 2003 Mars was closet to Earth at a distance of 34.7 million miles away and again in 2018 at a distance of 35.8 million miles away marking the closest the planets have been in 15 years. After tonight’s event, Mars will be only 38.6 million miles away from Earth on December 8th, 2022. Tonight, Mars will be the closest to Earth until 2035.
