Mars is closer to Earth this week than it will be for 15 years

With no bright stars in the same part of the sky, the red planet will be unmistakeable

Mars will be closer to Earth this week than at any other time for the next 15 years. The fourth planet from the sun, it is currently sitting just north of the celestial equator. That means it is almost perfectly placed to be seen from both hemispheres, and it is shining with brilliant intensity in the evening sky. The chart shows its position on 5 October, looking east-south-east from London at 22:00 BST.