MAY 30, 2005 - Approaching Mars is NASA's way of reminding us all that the Red Planet is drawing near to Earth once again. Not as close as it did back in 2003, mind you, but much closer than usual nonetheless. I've already touched on the astrology of this year's Mars perigee (close approach to Earth) in my 2005 World Forecast Highlights, but NASA does an excellent job of setting the stage and telling you where in the sky to look as Mars closes in on Planet Earth. (This week, look for Mars close to the Moon in the eastern sky just before sunrise on the 31st. And then be watching as Mars approaches its climactic October 31 perigee, when it rises at sunset and shines brighter than the brightest star in the sky.)
