What makes the view of Mars in the summer of 2003 so spectacular?
A) There were huge dust storms that made the planet appear much brighter than usual.
B) The feature known as Olympus Mons erupted spewing ash into the Martian atmosphere.
C) Mars had an angular size comparable to the full moon.
D) Mars was both at perihelion and opposition, creating the perfect viewing conditions from Earth.
E) Earth's atmosphere was amazingly clear everywhere for months making the view of spectacular Mars available to everyone.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In the summer of 2003, Mars was at both perihelion (closest point to the Sun) and opposition (directly opposite the Sun in the sky), making it appear larger and brighter from Earth, creating ideal viewing conditions.

What Makes the View of Mars in the Summer of 2003