http://www.newsweek.com/mars-close-approach-earth-how-and-when-catch-spectacular-astronomical-treat-1044887 > Mars is approaching its closest distance to Earth for 15 years. On July 31st, it will sit just 36,000,000 miles from our planet. That might sound pretty far, but in solar system terms, it's incredibly close.  > This means Mars will appear bigger and brighter than usual. Even if you missed Friday morning’s opposition—where the Earth traveled between the Red Planet and the Sun—Mars is still remarkably bright in the night sky—and it will be for several weeks.