Happening Tonight: Planets Mars, Earth Aligned with the Sun

Aimee Herd : Apr 8, 2014
News Staff - EarthSky.org

Mars the closest to Earth the day before next week's Blood Moon.

Professional and backyard astronomers will enjoy peering into the sky tonight as three heavenly bodies will align together: the sun, Earth and Mars. (Photo via USA Today)

According to an EarthSky report, on April 8, Earth passes in between the sun and Mars, with all three lining up; Mars and the sun in perfect alignment.

The astronomical term is that Mars is in "opposition" to the sun. It means that Mars will be very bright, as it rises in the eastern sky and soars overhead by midnight.

"Quite literally, this is Mars' day in the sun. Take advantage, for Mars won't be returning to opposition again until May 22, 2016," says the EarthSky report.

But that's not all, next week—a day before the blood moon appears—on April 14th, Mars will reportedly be at its closest to Earth.

If you have a good telescope, you may even be able to view the planet's north polar cap starting tonight.

Watch a USA Today video regarding the celestial event by Clicking Here.