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PICTURE OF THE WEEK: Mars' Amazing Approach

Mars, the Red Planet, and perhaps the Earth's closest relative, reached the point closest to Earth in its 100,000-year orbital cycle on Wednesday. At a distance of less than 35 million miles, it appeared as the brightest object in the north sky, easily viewable by the naked eye. Those with telescopes of at least three-inch diameter were treated with views of the polar ice caps, seasonal storms, and deep ravines, all from the comfort of their front yard or den.

Over the next 60,000 years, Mars will slip further and further away from Earth, until finally reaching its greatest distance, of about 60 million miles; it will then turn around repeat the cycle once again.

On August 28th, the day after Mars' perigee with the Earth, the Sun, Earth and Mars will form a straight line; this alignment is referred to as astronomical opposition. Although this phenomenon happens more frequently than other astronomical events, it, too, is on a cycle countable in thousands-of-years.

NASA, as well as several other national and international space and research organizations have taken Mars' close proximity as an invitation to launch probes. Missions from no less than five countries will start arriving at the Red Planet in December. NASA's intention is to explore two additional Martian regions with their newly modified Mars Rover.

For those skywatchers who miss the chance to view Mars at its closest point, they need not fear: it will remain bright in the sky throughout September, before fading back to normal. Nonetheless, amateur astronomers are urged to take this opportunity to spy on Mars before it is gone... the next such opportunity will not occur until 2287, and the planet will be far less bold than it will be this month.

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