In his prepared remarks, Trump, a longtime backer of U.S.-led space exploration and exploitation, singled out Mars and left the moon hanging.

The Red Planet will be at its closest point to Earth, also known as perigee, on Jan. 12 and will be exactly opposite the sun on Jan. 15. It will be visible all night long because it will rise with the sunset and set with the sunrise.

The Red Planet reaches its best position all year this week on January 15. Here’s how and when to get out and see it.

As Mars approaches opposition this week, it will become a dazzling spectacle in the night sky. See it at its best now, or wait until 2027.

It’s a term used by astronomers to describe when Earth, Mars and the Sun align. When this happens, Earth sits directly between Mars and the Sun, positioning the red planet directly opposite of the Sun in the sky.

US President Donald Trump vowed Monday to "plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars" but made no mention of NASA's planned return to the Moon, heightening speculation about

President Trump vowed to send astronauts to Mars during his second inaugural address. "We will pursue our Manifest Destiny into the stars," he said, promising to send astronauts to plant the American flag on Mars.