TOKYO, Aug 27: Tens of thousands of astronomers in Asia got a close-up look at Mars as the Red Planet passed closer to Earth than at any time in the last 60,000 years on Wednesday, although cloudy weather prevented many from witnessing the spectacle. Mars is now at its closest to Earth since Neanderthals walked the planet.

As of August 27, the Red Planet was a galactically trifling 55.76 million kilometres from Earth, according to Belgian astronomer Jean Meeus, who calculated the two planets last came as close nearly 60,000 years ago.

The fourth planet from the Sun, Mars appeared red and orange and as bright as Jupiter, the giant of our solar system as the Red planet has a rare orbital rendezvous with the Earth.

Amateur and professional astronomers flocked to some 300 observatories across Japan, while others set up telescopes away from the urban neon glare in the country and on rooftops.

Some 800 were expected at the Nishi-Harima Observatory in Hyogo prefecture, western Japan, to take part in the “Mars Observation Show.”

“People’s interest in Mars is reaching its peak as some people are increasingly speculating on the existence of life on the mysterious planet,” said Noritaka Tokimasa, an astronomer at the observatory.

“The weather conditions are perfect as we can observe Mars shining clearly in the dark sky,” said Seiichi Hirano, an astronomer at Sapporo Starlight Dome observatory in Sapporo, on Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido.

In Sydney, thousands of amateur and professional stargazers also turned out across Australia to get an historic peek at Mars, some hoping the once-in-60,000-year glimpse might give a hint of life on the Red Planet.

In Singapore, a spokesman for the Singapore Science Centre said scientists observed the Mars phenomenon at the observatory on Wednesday evening but no special events had been organised.—AFP