See the Planet Mars This Wednesday

According to National Geographic News, on January 27^th Mars will intercourse within 61 million miles of Earth. Apparently, at this distance, sky viewers will be able to distinguish features of the planets surface via a small telescope, etc. Polar ice caps and other easily identified characteristics will be visible on the eve of the 27^th.

In 2003, Mars passed within 35K million miles of Earth, the closest distance between itself and Earth in the past 60,000 years. Studies estimate the planet as the 3^rd brightest object in the sky, aside from the Moon and the star, Sirius. Also, please note that on Jan 29^th, Mars will rise in the east in opposition to the sun setting in the west. This date will reveal the red planet throughout the entire night.

National Geographic News (2010). Year's best Mars view on Wednesday. Retrieved Jan 26, 2010 from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/01/100125-mars-closest-earth/