Simma Sky: Mars Close Approach

Now that summer is upon the Northern Hemisphere, the Red Planet is starting to grace us all with its presence. Mars is very bright during July, and it helps that Mars becomes visible during the evening hours. But Mars will do something extra special this year. At the end of July, Mars will be the brightest it's been in years...and closer to Earth than it's been in years!

According to EarthSky.org, Mars made a brilliant appearance in 2003 and was closer to the Earth than it had been in some 60,000 years. That's a long time. For a few months, the Red Planet was brighter than every star and planet but Venus. Astronomers say that 2018 Mars won't be that bright, but it will still be noticeable.

NASA reports that Mars will appear brightest from July 27th through July 30th, and that the closest approach of Mars to the Earth will occur on July 31st. This event is called Mars Close Approach. "Close" is a relative term, though. A distance of 35.8 million miles will separate the two this month, but they've been as close as 33.9 million miles. Big difference.

In 2018, Mars will appear brightest from July 27 to July 30. Its closest approach to Earth is July 31. That is the point in Mars' orbit when it comes closest to Earth. Mars will be at a distance of 35.8 million miles (57.6 million kilometers). Photo Courtesy

The next Mars Close Approach will occur in 2020. Scientists predict that a closeness like the one mentioned back in 2003 will occur again in 2287.

BONUS: Space.com reports that a Blood Moon will occur at the SAME TIME as Mars Close Approach. I just got your hopes up, but the Lunar Eclipse - the longest total lunar eclipse of the 21st Century - will only be visible in Africa, South Asia, and the Indian Ocean.

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