The Planetary Society Launches Global “Mars Day Celebration”
On August 27, the planet Mars will be closer to Earth than it has been in more than 50,000 years. The planetary event will enable the public, space enthusiasts and astronomers to view greater detail on a planet that is increasingly seen as humankind’s next giant leap.
Bright red-orange in the evening sky, Mars will be in perihelic opposition this summer, meaning the celestial body is at a point in its orbit when it is both closest to the Sun and to the Earth.
To celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime event, The Planetary Society will mark this occasion with special events around the world, including an 83rd birthday party for a man whose name is now synonymous with the Red Planet – Ray Bradbury, author of the famous The Martian Chronicles.