WATCH Mars SHOCKER: 2 Breaking News Items For Earthlings

First, let's get to the "close" distance right now: about 35.8 million miles from Earth, according to NASA. Even with a bright moon in the sky, you can clearly see Mars at its closest point before sunrise on July 31 at around 3 a.m., according to EarthSky.org.  And it's easy to spot. Just look up. Mars is now the brightest object in the night sky; second only to the moon. 

The next closest approach will be in October 2020, and the next super-close opposition will be in September 2035.

CREDIT: New York Times