Mars Close Approach – April 2016

This image shows the position of Mars in the night sky, at the southeast near the constellation Scorpius.
April 12, 2016
CreditNASA/JPL-Caltech
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Look up, it's Mars! Here's where to look for Mars in the night sky in April.

The planet is finally visible before midnight this month. It rises in the southeast at about 10 p.m. by the end of April. The best observing of Mars will be when it is highest in the sky. This means a few hours before dawn.

In 2016, Mars will appear brightest from May 18-June 3. Its closest approach to Earth is May 30.