Friday, July 31st, 2018.

Mars is going to be the biggest and brightest it's ever been tonight. All you have to do is go outside and look up and you'll probably find it. You can contact a planetarium or start your own star party. Mars will appear brightest from July 27 to July 30 and the closest approach is July 31st, 2018. That is the point date in Mars' orbit when it comes closest to Earth. Mars will be at a distance of 35.8 million miles (57.6 million kilometers). Mars reaches its highest point around midnight -- about 35 degrees above the southern horizon, or one third of the distance between the horizon and overhead. Mars will be visible for much of the night so don't miss it. By mid-August, Mars will become fainter as Mars and Earth travel farther away from each other. The next closest day will be October 6th, 2020 if you miss this one.

Written by, Bernice ~ RAY-801