Celestia Forums

August 27th Mars will be its closest to Earth. I have read this will
be the closest Mars has come to Earth in 6,000 years, another
Astronomy mag says 59,000 years, still another says the closest ever. Why can't anyone agree? Is there a correct answer?

600,000 years is what i heard repeatedly... not 100% sure that's correct though

In August 2003, Mars will be only 56'000'000 Km from Earth, which is the closest in 73'000 years!
4 spacecrafts will be send to Mars from end of May to end of June.

Mars Express, Beagle 2, Mars Exploration Rover A and B.

(Tir? de Science et Vie no1028, Mai 2003)

I wonder why people can't give the same number.. Isn't Astronomy an Exact Science ?!

maybe a new feature can be made that will give the closest distance of two objects in a certain time period?

That could be handy for near-earth asteroids etc also- horizons already has a feature like this it'd be nice to see it in celestia too!