If skies are clear in your area on Sunday night, Dec. 23, you’ll be able to partake in a rather unusual sight as the full moon appears to glide very closely above the planet Mars.
Mars, which made its closest approach to the Earth on Dec. 18, will be only hours from a Christmas Eve opposition with the sun and is now shining prominently with a bright yellow-orange glow.
And if you’re favorably positioned in certain parts of the Pacific Northwest, western Canada, or Alaska, you’ll actually see the moon occult (hide) Mars for a short time as the pair sits low above the east-northeast horizon.