Mars to reach closest distance to earth in 11 years

The red planet will remain close and bright for the first two weeks of June

The Red Planet is approaching its closest point to Earth for 11 years, offering a rare chance for astronomy fans.

According to NASA, Mars will appear to rise in the east at around sunset and set in the west just at daybreak and its sunlit side will be visible all night long to astronomers and stargazers.

On May 30, Mars will be just 46.8 million miles away from Earth, the closest it’s been in 11 years.

The red planet will remain close and bright for the first two weeks of June and will be visible for much of the night if the skies are clear and should be able to be seen without a telescope or binoculars.

This planet-watching opportunity comes just days after NASA released new images of Mars, which depicted changes in the surface and revealed the effects the changing seasons have on the environment.