when is Mars and the earth close together next

[Dave G]

I have been told that in August 07 Mars and Earth are closest together for a century
Confirmation or otherwise please
regards Dave G

[nathansphase]

Hi it seems that the earth and mars get "close" every 26 months as they become both on the same side of the sun according to calculations the closest ever will occur in 2729 to our descendants when the earth and mars will be "only" 34,580,000 miles apart or 55,651,000 km!

[Dave G]

!st class answer many many thanks i will pass it back to the person that told me
Regards Dave g

[mibn2cweus]

The distance between two planets orbiting the Sun varies somewhat each time they pass. This change in distance of opposition is because orbits are not perfectly circular. If the inner planets� apogee (the furthest point in its orbit) coincides with the outer planets� perigee (the nearest point in its orbit) when they pass each other their opposition will be closer than average.

Mars this year is at opposition on 18 December and is not remarkably close (55 million miles) as was the opposition of 27 August 2003 at 35 million miles!

Otherwise