Mars Will Be Closer to Earth Tonight Than It's Been
in 15 Years Typically, Mars is about 140 million miles from earth. But tonight it will be 35.8 million miles away from earth, according to NASA. On July 27, Mars reached full opposition, meaning that the planet was on the exact opposite side of Earth from the sun. This positioning, along with the fact that Mars will be closer to Earth than usual, provides for brighter views of the red planet. Bruce Betts, chief scientist for the Planetary Society in Pasadena, via 'Los Angeles Times' When the sun sets this evening,
look to the east. Mars will appear as a red-orange star. Make sure to take advantage of this celestial event tonight because you won't get such a view for the next 17 years.
