Mars is currently at its closest point to the Earth and will not get closer for around 17 years, so now is the ideal time to observe it. Technically it was at its closest point on the 6th October but it reaches its opposition – that is when the Sun, the Earth and the planet are all in a straight line, on the 13th October. In the case of Mars the opposition does not exactly coincide with the closest point owing to its rather eccentric orbit. It will be well positioned for observing for the next few months but will be getting smaller as time goes on. Presently its diameter is just over 22 arc seconds but that will decrease by about 23% per month. Realistically you will need a telescope to see any details on its surface but the rocky and sandy deserts are then quite easy to spot. You may even be able to see the southern polar cap – although that is looking very small now as the Martian summer gets into full swing. The picture shows the planet from Abergavenny on the 5th October when it was almost at its closest. In this picture South is up and you can just see the little polar cap. The light coloured areas near the edge of the planet are clouds.
summer get into full swing.