Mars had a great opposition in 2018 but was located deep in the southern part of Capricornus, making it difficult to observe from northern hemisphere locations, owing to its souther-liness and the poor observing conditions prevalent in much of the United States during the summer months.  In 2020, however, Mars was still very close to Earth at its opposition, but located much more conveniently in eastern Pisces, and also during a better time of year for clear skies.  This view of Mars on the 8th is five days before its opposition on the 13th, and the scene is from mid-evening, when Pisces is still rising in the east.  Note how far south of the ecliptic Mars is in the first part of its retrograde loop.  Unannotated image.