When Venus passes between the Earth and the sun, it is visible as a tiny black dot on the sun's bright disk. Why is Mars never visible in this same way?

A. The orbit of Mars is outside that of the Earth's orbit.

B. Mars shines too brightly to be visible against the sun.

C. The orbit of Mars is more eccentric than that of Venus.

D. Mars is too small to be seen against the backdrop of the sun.