Mars should be the closest it will ever to get Earth in roughly 60,000 years (don`t know how accurate that is?).

On August 27`th this year! (2003)

 

according to "heresay" a good pair of binoculars will be more than enough to get a decent veiw of it.

 

for UK folk it`ll be in the East/South East region of our sky about 20 degrees above the horizon (from my reconing).

 

It`s quite plainly visible now, sadly I don`t have the facilities to take pics from my telescope, but as a red dot in the sky that doesn`t twinkle. It looks great even with the naked eye!

 

make a calendar note, and check the news closer to the date for more details.

 

All the best

The 60,000 years estimate is actually the longest of a range of estimates. I think I remember reading somewhere that the correct estimate is 30,000-60,000 years. I'm not sure if I'm right, but it's still interesting to hear all the publications say 50,000 or 60,000 years, when really it could have been much less.

 

I don't own a telescope, but I going to borrow my dad's friends house to use his! =)