Mars will make its closest approach to Earth in recorded history on August 27th, coming within 34.6 million miles. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event, as it may be as long as 60,000 years before Mars comes this close again due to gravitational influences from Jupiter. At its closest approach, Mars will be brighter than any star in the night sky and appear 25 times larger through a telescope. People should look to the east after nightfall starting in early August to watch Mars grow brighter throughout the month leading up to this historic close encounter.