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Mars, as seen in the night sky on December 8, 2007. The image was taken in southern Alberta (latitude of 51› N) by astrophotographer Alan Dyer. Credit: NASA, ESA, and A. Dyer
Gaze up the sky. Do you see a bright red star? That’s Mars! Mars has been very visible in the evening sky for the last couple of weeks. See it in the west during pre-dawn hours and towards the east in the evening sky. In fact, Mars will be at its brightest throughout October and even outshine Jupiter!
On October 6, 2020, at 10 a.m. EDT, Mars will be 38.57 million miles (62.07 million km) away from the Earth, its closest point to the earth in two years.
Historically, Mars was closest to the Earth on August 27, 2003, when it was 34.65 million miles (55.76 million km) away.
Mars’ last close approach was on July 31, 2018, when it was 35.78 million miles (57.59 million km) away.
The fact that Mars is at its closest doesn’t mean it is at its brightest on October 6.
In fact, Mars will not be as bright on October 6 as it will be on October 13 when Mars will be in opposition (i.e., when Earth is directly between the Sun and Mars).
On October 13, Mars’s brilliance will be enhanced by opposition surge, when it can reflect most sunlight directly back to the earth.
So look up and enjoy the view. The next time you will be able to see a similar resplendent Mars will be after 15 years in September 2035.
WHERE TO LOOK AND HOW TO SEE MARS
You do not need any equipment as you can see Mars with naked eyes. Mars will be visible towards the east in the evening sky, and in the west before dawn throughout October with the planet being its brightest on October 6th and 13th.
