The distance to Mars varies from about 56 million kilometers (about 35 million miles) to 400 million kilometers (about 249 million miles). Why the difference? And why so close now?

When the sun comes between Earth and Mars, communications with Mars spacecraft diminish drastically. Find out how the mission teams cope!

When Mars is close, it appears to move backwards from night to night! Find out why.

Find out where and when Mars will be in your neighborhood.

Close is a relative term. At its closest, Mars is still tens of millions of miles away from Earth. Still, the decreased distance during "closest approach" allows for fuel-conserving flights to Mars every 26 months and a good view of Mars once or twice every 15 to 17 years for Earth-bound sky watchers.

For help viewing Mars, please contact your local Night Sky Network astronomy club.