Red planet expected to boost UFO reports

UFO sightings are expected to soar next month as Mars makes its closest approach to Earth for two years.

The planet will appear as a bright red light hovering over the tops of houses and trees.

On June 13, Mars will be approximately 42 million miles from Earth - close enough for the polar ice caps to be seen through a small telescope.

When Mars has made close approaches in the past, motorists have been startled by the sight of the bright red planet.

Robin Scagell, vice president of the Society for Popular Astronomy, said: ‘‘People driving along see Mars above the tree tops and it seems to be keeping track of them. They wonder what on earth it is.

‘‘It could spark off a lot of UFO reports.’’

Mars can be seen quite low on the horizon in the southern sky, between the constellations of Scorpius and Sagittarius.

Surprisingly, a crystal clear night does not offer the best conditions for observing the planet.

Mr Scagell said slightly misty weather is better because it cancels out the shimmering effect caused by temperature differences.

‘‘You don’t need a big telescope. A magnification of 40 or 50 will enable you to see one of the polar ice caps and dark patches on the planet.

‘‘Mars really does look red, or rather a kind of salmon pink. It’s caused by rusty dust. Mars has a lot of iron in its soil, which gives the whole planet this reddish colour.’’

For a really spectacular view of Mars, however, it is best to wait until August 2003.

Then the planet will be closer to the Earth than it has been for about 6,000 years - a distance of just 34.8 million miles.

The European Mars Express mission is due to be launched in 2003.

It will carry the mainly British Beagle II probe, which will land on the planet to search for signs of life.