News Details (Posted: December 21, 2007):

Attention Stargazers ~ Mars appears brightly in the night sky, on Christmas Eve

Full Description:

The Planet Mars lies at opposition to the sun on Monday, December 24. This means that planet Earth lies on a line almost exactly between the sun and Mars. Look for this gleaming, noticeably reddish planet over the east horizon as evening twilight gathers. Mars remains in the sky all night, setting at sunrise on Christmas morning. Although Mars will not be as close to Earth as it has been during the last two so-called "favorable oppositions" which took place roughly two and four years ago, it is still a noteworthy event, not to be missed. Our local weather is expected to improve by the end of this week, so let's hope for clear skies. To learn more about astronomy and related space and physical sciences, visit the website for the San Diego Astronomy Association. Happy Stargazing!