Marspedia

Amateur Astronomy

Turn Your Backyard Into a Mars Watching Station Without Breaking the Bank

You don't need a PhD or a NASA budget to get serious about observing Mars. With the right gear, a little planning, and some patience around opposition windows, your backyard can become a legitimate Mars-watching outpost. Here's everything you need to get started.

Oct 11, 2026

Space Policy

NASA's Mars Crossroads: The 2025 Budget Decisions That Could Define America's Future in Space

NASA is staring down a pivotal set of decisions about Mars — and the choices made in 2025 will echo for decades. With international rivals accelerating their own programs and domestic budgets under pressure, the question isn't just about science anymore. It's about whether the US wants to lead humanity to Mars or watch someone else do it first.

Oct 11, 2026