Mars closest to Earth in 60,000 yrs

For the second time in nearly 60,000 years, the Red Planet will swing unusually close to Earth this weekend, appearing as a yellow twinkle in the night sky. The Red Planet will be 43.1 million miles away from earth, Saturday, Oct. 29. The two planets, normally separated by about 140 million miles, will not be this close again until 2018. Most backyard telescopes will see Mars as a small, brilliant ball. Observers with more powerful instruments might be able to discern details on the planet's surface, including its southern ice cap and white clouds.