Watch Mars Make Its Closest Approach To Earth Until 2035
“From Earth’s perspective, Mars’s angular size varies the most, percentagewise, of any planet. Telescopes reveal Mars’s axial rotation, even during a single night. Unlike Earth, Mars’s seasons are determined by its highly elliptical orbit, not its axial tilt. Martian “winter” occurs when it’s farthest from the Sun, with “summer” arriving when it’s closest. When Martian summer aligns with Earth’s closest approach, Mars appears at its largest.”
Mars, right now, rises in the east as the Sun sets in the west. It’s visible throughout the entire night, with the best views coming close to midnight or just prior: before the Moon rises. On October 6, 2020, Mars will make its closest approach to Earth for 15 years; it won’t be this close again until 2035. Through a telescope, and with no current dust storms, you can see its surface features, polar cap, and even watch it rotate throughout the night.
But no, it won’t even be close to as big as the Moon, which remains some ~75 times larger in angular diameter. Come see what Mars is up to!