There will be another show in the skies above us this Sunday as Mars will appear alongside the moon.
The rare phenomenon will see Mars, Earth and the sun will line up perfectly in the sky. This once-every-two-years event is called Mars opposition. That’s because Mars and the sun will be on opposite sides of Earth.
Scientists and stargazers alike are eagerly awaiting the spectacular show as our nearest neighbours so coming ever closer until to us, astronomers say the red planet will be the closest it has ever been to Earth when it passes within 75.3 million kilometres. Although the red planet will get even closer in 2018, when it will be a mere 58 million kilometres away.
The modern-day record of 55.7 million kilometres between Earth and Mars was set in 2003. That won’t be surpassed until the year 2287, according to NASA.