It's a Bird, It's a Plane...It's Mars!

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

Image: MAURIZIO DI SCIULLO, Courtesy Sky & Telescope

UFO reports may well rise this month as people mistake a bright, low-hanging object in the night sky for invading Martians. In fact, it's only Mars. Today the Red Planet reaches what is known as opposition, a point at which it is on the opposite side of Earth from the sun. Making it even more visible, Mars will be closer to Earth than it has been in more than 12 years, at a mere 42 million miles away.

"Because Mars is a small planet¿just half the diameter of Earth¿it only puts on a good show when it's near opposition," says James White, executive director of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. "And this is one of the better oppositions. So the next month will be a great time to go outside and view Mars, whether you're using your unaided eye, binoculars or a telescope."

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

Don't worry if you miss this year's opportunity, though: in August 2003 Mars will come even closer, within 34.6 million miles, and should thus put on an even better show. "On that date, the Earth-Mars distance will be the smallest it has been in at least 5,000 years, and probably for a good while before that," says Myles Standish of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. Following that event, the next comparable opposition won't occur until 2287.

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American