The current star chart shows Mars at 4:51 AM CDT on August 27, 2003, at its closest approach to the earth for the last 60,000 years.  The earth and Mars are only 34,646,418 miles apart at this time, measured center to center.  The two planets will not be this close again until the year 2287, so don’t miss our current opportunity for viewing!
        At our current approach, Mars has an angular diameter of 25.11” (arcseconds), about half the usual diameter of Jupiter.  Mars now shines brightly at -2.9 magnitude.  How does this magnitude compare visually and numerically with the magnitudes of nearby Uranus and  Neptune in the lower right corner?
        The August issue of Astronomy and the June and August Sky & Telescope, available at the Sul Ross Library, have extensive coverage on Mars.