Mars Up Close

Apparently later this week (Dec. 24th) Mars will be very close to earth. We won't be able to see it THIS clearly, though. But pretty, right?

The guy at Bad Astronomy says,

And remember: Mars will not look as big as the Moon! But it is still a burning red beacon in the east shortly after sunset. If you go out around 9:00 p.m. or so you’ll see it rising in the east, with Orion and the Pleaides looming nearby too (on the right if you’re in the northern hemisphere, or if you’re standing on your head south of the Equator). It’s a pretty scene, so even if you don’t have access to a telescope, go outside and have a gander.