... Yesterday, Earth passed Mars as they orbited the Sun, bringing Mars closer than it will be for the next thirteen years. ... But on 2003 August 29th the red planet Mars, near its closest approach to Earth in almost 60,000 years, shone brightly in the sky against a background of stars in the constellation Aquarius. ... October Mars . ... How close is Mars? A mere 70 million kilometers or so, close enough to allow Earth-bound astronomers excellent views of the alluring Red Planet. ... October 2008 . ...

... PRIME CREW . ... On February 14, 1995 he was assigned to the second crew (PC-20) under the EuroMir-95 program and from February 20 to August 1995 he passed training as a flight engineer, together with G. Manakov and from April 1– with C.Fuglesang (ESA, Sweden). ... On February 3, 1999 by decision of RSA Board he was removed from the ISS crews and assigned as a flight engineer of the back-up crew (PC-28) and the prime crew (PC-29) for the Mir Orbital Station, together with S. Sharipov. ...

... 2005 August 16 . The International Space Station from Orbit . Credit: STS-114 Crew , NASA . Explanation: The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest human-made object ever to orbit the Earth . Late last month and earlier this month, the station was visited and resupplied by space shuttle Discovery . ... After departing the ISS, the crew of Discovery captured this spectacular vista of the orbiting space city . ... About APOD | ... NASA Official: Jay Norris. ...

... Things to see in the morning skies, from Terry Moseley, IAA : . ISS IN MORNINGS: The International Space Station is making a series of morning passes at the moment - see www.heavens-above.com Look out for it when it passes close to.. BRILLIANT MORNING STAR VENUS: Venus is still the brightest object in the morning sky. ... Photo: Four planets photographed by Paul Evans on 8 October 2009, from Larne . ... International Year of Astronomy, Ireland National Node . ...