Mars to look bigger and brighter from Earth next month

Mars has been close to Earth in the past 15 years. It will be 35.8 million miles away and takes 687 days to orbit the Sun, twice as long as Earth. During opposition, Mars and the Sun will be on opposite sides of Earth, making Mars appear five times brighter and visible in the evening sky, though it will dim as Earth moves away.

How far is Mars from Earth currently?

• 15 million miles

• 100 million miles

• 35.8 million miles

• 50 million miles

How long does it take for Mars to complete one orbit around the Sun?

• 730 days

• 365 days

• 687 days

• 500 days

What does it mean when Mars is in opposition?

• Mars is closest to the Sun

• Mars and the Sun are on opposite sides of Earth

• Mars is closest to Earth

• Mars is farthest from Earth

How much brighter will Mars appear during this event?

• Ten times as bright

• Five times as bright

• Three times as bright

• Twice as bright

What happens to Mars' visibility as Earth moves away?

• It disappears completely

• It becomes dimmer

• It remains the same

• It becomes brighter