THE MOON VISITS MARS: Tonight, the gibbous Moon is passing by Mars, forming a heavenly duo in the constellation Capricornus. With Mars approaching Earth for a 15-year close encounter in late July, the Red Planet has become one of the brightest objects in the night sky. Its distinctive rusty hue is easy to see even in bright moonlight. Visit Spaceweather.com for sky maps and observing tips.
Above: Mars is now so bright, it is forming its own nighttime "glitter path" across bodies of water. Alan Dyer photographed this example from a pond near Bassano, Alberta. [more]
