Happening Tonight: Mars' Closest Approach To Earth In Over A Decade

click to expand

DENVER (CBS4) - If skies cooperate tonight you can get a view of Mars as it makes its closest approach to Earth in 11 years.

Close approach is when Mars and Earth come nearest to each other in their orbits around the sun which happens about every 26 months.

Mars will be roughly 46.8 million miles away on May 30 and should be visible for much of the night.

The red planet will be most visible around midnight when it reaches its highest point in the sky, about 35 degrees above the southern horizon.

(credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

If the weather is too cloudy tonight where you live don't be bummed out. The planet will be visible into mid-June but will become more and more faint with each passing day.

The next close approach of Mars will be on July 31, 2018.

(credit: NASA)

Meteorologist Chris Spears writes about stories related to weather and climate in Colorado. Check out his bio, connect with him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @ChrisCBS4.