Editor's note: This story was updated on Aug. 1 to correct the year in which Mars will be closer to Earth than it was July 31, 2018. It is 2035, not 2287. Early this morning, Mars made its closest approach to Earth since 2003 — but if you missed it, the Red Planet is still a magnificent sight to see in the night sky. Humanity will have to wait another 17 years for Mars to be closer, NASA says. At 3:50 a.m. EDT (0750 GMT), Mars reached the closest point to Earth in its orbit. The Red Planet hadn't been that close to Earth since August 2003. (And when this last approach occurred, it was the first time in 60,000 years that Mars had come so close.) This occurrence follows last week's Mars event: On Friday (July 27), the Red Planet reached opposition with the sun and remained at its brightest in the night sky through Monday night and early today (July 31). [Mars at Opposition 2018: How to See It] Mars' closest approach to Earth since 2003 has given us especially detailed, up-close views of the Red Planet. This recent image from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope shows Mars and its ongoing dust storm in incredible detail. (Image credit: NASA, ESA and STScI) According to NASA, Mars was 35.8 million miles (57.6 million kilometers) from Earth at its closest point this morning. Mars won't approach any closer to Earth until September 2035, NASA officials said. In August 2003, Mars was a smidge closer: 34.6 million miles (55.6 million km). Mars won't be that close to Earth until 2287, according to a NASA update. Mars will reach opposition again before then. In October 2020, the Red Planet will reach opposition and will be 38.6 million miles (62.1 million km) from Earth, according to NASA's update. You can see Mars tonight by looking to the southwestern sky. Weather permitting, Mars will be visible low on the southwestern horizon, with the moon shining to the upper left. Saturn will also be visible, as shown in the map below. A map of the sky that shows Mars and Saturn, as they can be seen from New York on July 31 at 11 pm. (Image credit: Starry Night software) If you missed it, don't believe any crazy stories you may hear about its apparent size. Mars wasn't as big as the moon in the night sky — not even close; that story is a hoax that somehow pops up every single year. In reality, at Mars' closest approach, the moon still appeared 75 times larger than the Red Planet, while Mars appeared as an extremely bright, star-like object that was visible for much of the night. But if you slept through the whole event, don't worry! Mars will still be especially bright and close tonight, so make sure to look up! You can even look back at some of the views from Mars' closest point in a webcast that filmed the event live from the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles. You can re-watch the webcast, which was hosted by Laura Danly, online. In the video, you can see telescopic imagery of the Red Planet, conversations between scientists as they observe the night sky, and guest appearances by a number of people, including "Star Trek: Voyager" actor Tim Russ, and former NASA astronaut Buzz Aldrin. Aldrin is an active proponent of humankind exploring farther out into the solar system and landing a crewed mission on Mars. In fact, Aldrin spoke passionately in the webcast about a future hope to first return to the moon, and then Mars. "We should establish an occupancy on the moon," Aldrin said in the live video about Earth's satellite that he once stepped foot on. He continued, saying that "we need to occupy the moon while we are preparing with those lessons to begin to land and stay on Mars." Aldrin added that reaching these ambitious goals will require innovation, and he hopes that he can "inspire the next generation" to take these massive steps. Laura Danly, curator at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, who hosted the Mars close approach webcast from the observatory, sits with former NASA astronaut Buzz Aldrin to talk about everything from what the moon looks like on the surface to how we might get to Mars. (Image credit: Griffith Observatory) At its closest approach, Mars shone at a magnitude of minus 2.8, which is twice as bright as Jupiter but dimmer than Venus (lower magnitudes mean it looks brighter). In fact, Mars will remain brighter than Jupiter in the night sky until about Sept. 7. Mars will become fainter by mid-August as the two planets orbit away from each other around the sun. So, while it won't remain this bright in the night sky for long, it will be brilliant long enough for everyone to take a look. Saturn also made a close approach to Earth this summer, and the ringed planet remains especially visible for anyone scouring the sky for the best sights. If you missed Mars' closest approach, you can still see the planet shining brightly tonight, with friends at a viewing party, online or even in a mobile app. If you can't wait to see Mars make an exceptionally close approach to Earth again, the next close approach for the Red Planet will be on Oct. 6, 2020. Email Chelsea Gohd at cgohd@space.com or follow her @chelsea_gohd. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.<doc-sep>When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up forfor the biggest new releases, reviews and tech hacks Mars will be at its closest to Earth than it has been in 15 years and the incredible event will bring bright views of the Red Planet. According to NASA, Mars makes its approach on the night between July 30 and July 31, peaking in the early hours before sunrise along Eastern Time. Mars will come within 35.8 million miles of Earth today - the second closest approach after the Red Planet came within 34.6 million miles of Earth in 2003. Astronomers at NASA expect Mars to reach its highest point in the sky around midnight, to the left of the constellation Sagittarius at 35 degrees above the southern horizon.<doc-sep>Mars made its closest approach to Earth in the early morning hours on Tuesday, July 31. Stargazers in the US and Canada were best positioned to see the Red Planet just before sunrise around 5am ET. However, for those who would have rather stayed in the comfort of their home this morning, the Griffith Observatory in LA, California, live streamed the Martian approach. You can watch the entire four hour live broadcast in the embedded video above, for the most spectacular views of the Red Planet. Ed Krupp, Observatory director, said: “Mars is invading us tonight. This is in fact the closest approach of Mars since 2003. “In fact, we weren't even here in 2003. We were over at the satellite, in exile, while construction was going on at Griffith. “Still, we showed Mars to more people through a telescope over there than anywhere else on the planet. We want to do that again tonight.” The Observatory’s live stream kicked off at 10pm PT on the night of July 30, when the Western US was best positioned to see Mars. NASA scientists remember seeing first image of Mars FREE for the biggest new releases, reviews and tech hacks SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up forfor the biggest new releases, reviews and tech hacks When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. The Observatory then tracked the Red Planet though to 12.45am PT on Tuesday morning, concluding the above stream at 2am PT. The event was also open to the public, with a fee-free entrance to the grounds of the Observatory. The Red Planet currently sits about 35.8 million miles of Earth, which is the its closest approach since 2003. In 2003, Mars came within its closest distance in almost 60,000 years, of about 34.6 million miles. Mars close to Earth: The Red Planet approached the Earth today NASA's stunning images of Mars Wed, March 29, 2017 Mars in pictures: NASA shares stunning images of red planet. Play slideshow NASA 1 of 15 Layered deposits in Uzboi Vallis<doc-sep>
Tonight is the closest Mars will be to earth in 15 years Look up! Mars will be closer to Earth tonight than it has been in over a decade. It appeared the brightest from July 27 to July 30, but will be closest to Earth Tuesday night. According to NASA, it will reach its highest point around midnight, but will be visible for much of the night. On average, Mars is about 140 million miles away from Earth, but on Tuesday, 35.8 million miles will separate the two.It will become fainter by mid-August. If you miss it, the next Mars Close Approach is Oct. 6, 2020, according to NASA.NASA describes close approach as "when Mars and Earth come nearest to each other in their orbits around the sun. "Mars made its closet approach to earth in nearly 60,000 years in 2003 and won't be that close again until 2287, according to NASA. Look up! Mars will be closer to Earth tonight than it has been in over a decade. It appeared the brightest from July 27 to July 30, but will be closest to Earth Tuesday night. According to NASA, it will reach its highest point around midnight, but will be visible for much of the night. On average, Mars is about 140 million miles away from Earth, but on Tuesday, 35.8 million miles will separate the two. It will become fainter by mid-August. If you miss it, the next Mars Close Approach is Oct. 6, 2020, according to NASA. NASA describes close approach as "when Mars and Earth come nearest to each other in their orbits around the sun." Mars made its closet approach to earth in nearly 60,000 years in 2003 and won't be that close again until 2287, according to NASA.