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The planet Mars reached opposition on 22 May. On that date the Earth lapped the Red Planet in its outer, slower orbit and Mars attained its peak brilliancy in 2016. The date of Mars' opposition and its least distance from Earth can differ by up to 8½ days. Earth is currently heading for aphelion (furthest from the Sun) on 4 July, while Mars has yet to reach perihelion (closest to the Sun) on 29 October in its orbit of greater eccentricity. [Source: Astronomy Now]
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