Why Mars?

• It's the most likely planet for humankind to settle
  
• It is being actively explored by NASA and others
  
• Only planet that we can see surface features with a small telescope (We see Venus, Saturn and Jupiter's clouds,)
  
• It makes an easy science contribution
  
• It's challenging
  
• It's fun!

The apparition is the  "The act of becoming visible" (the close approach).

Opposition is when Mars is opposite the Sun.

Opposition happens every two years and the closest approach is about every 12 years.

Next:  When to observe