Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
Mars will take center stage in early 2025 during its closest approach to Earth, dazzling stargazers with its brilliant red glow and surface features.
This rare alignment occurs every 26 months, placing Earth between Mars and the sun, and offering unparalleled views of the Red Planet.
During opposition, Mars appears fully illuminated, rising at sunset and setting at sunrise, creating an all-night spectacle for skywatchers.
Mars will shine in the constellation Gemini, reaching a brightness of magnitude -1.4 and a disk size of 14.6 arcseconds, visible even without telescopes.
Telescopes with 200x magnification can reveal Olympus Mons, the solar system’s tallest volcano, and Valles Marineris, a canyon over 2,500 miles long.
On January 12, 2025, Mars makes its closest approach at 59.7 million miles. Opposition peaks on January 16, with breathtaking views all night long.
The alignment reduces time and fuel for interplanetary missions, opening a crucial launch window for exploring Mars’ mysteries.
NASA’s EscaPADE mission will study Mars’ atmosphere and solar wind interaction, advancing our knowledge for future crewed missions.
To maximize your experience, head to dark-sky locations, use telescopes or binoculars, and track key dates for optimal viewing.