Our closest planetary neighbour has come to say hello.
For the next few weeks Mars is closer to Earth than usual and it'll be at its brightest when "in opposition" on 14 October, meaning when it's directly in line with Earth and the Sun.
That happens roughly every two years, but it's not predicted to get as close until 2035, so now is the optimal time for a spot of planet-gazing.
Duncan Steel is a Space Scientist and Astronomer.
