Mars is brighter than it has been in years. Get out there and see it.

The red planet is popular with science fiction enthusiasts and space scientists alike, and now, thanks to a fortunate cosmic alignment, everyone can get in on the Martian action. 
SEE ALSO: Mars' ice age may have turned the red planet white 370,000 years ago
On Friday, Mars will be directly across from the sun from Earth's perspective. Just days later, on July 31, the planet will make its closest approach to Earth — just about 35.8 million miles from our planet.  That's the