Mars and Jupiter Aren't on a Collision Course
But They'll Appear Awfully Close
Closest Rendezvous This Decade
Mars and Jupiter are set to have their closest rendezvous this decade on Wednesday, Aug. 14. The two planets will appear so close together in the night sky that they'll look like a single bright object to the naked eye.
This close encounter is due to the planets' orbits. Mars and Jupiter orbit the sun at different speeds, so they occasionally pass each other in the night sky. The last time they were this close was in 2018, and they won't be this close again until 2033.
The closest the two planets will come to each other on Wednesday will be at 10:20 p.m. EDT. They'll be visible in the eastern sky, just above the horizon. If you have a telescope, you'll be able to see both planets in the same field of view.
Even if you don't have a telescope, you can still enjoy this rare celestial event. Just find a clear spot with a view of the eastern sky and look for two bright objects close together. Mars will be the brighter of the two, and Jupiter will be the larger.
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