Mars nears ever closer to Earth as the planets gear up to align with the sun for the first time in 11 YEARS

The red planet is creeping ever closer to our pale blue dot, as it gears up for its closest orbit for 11 years. 

Those looking skyward at the end of the month will see Mars the closest to Earth it has been in more than a decade.

As part of a number of cosmic events in Earth's corner of the solar system this month, the two planets will line up with the sun, with Mars appearing larger and brighter in the night sky.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3576659/Mars-closest-Earth-11-years-month-planets-align-sun.html#ixzz47sLxtZyB