14 DAY TRIAL // Mars is currently in the closest position to planet Earth as, in the next eight years, it will be making it the brightest object on the night sky, thus outshining even the white dwarf Sirius. This month it can be observed in the constellation Gemini, and it experiences a retrograde motion, from east to west, which takes it towards the constellation of Taurus.
It is visible right after the sunset, above the horizon line, and climbs relatively high on the night sky, sparkling bright yellow-orange hues at an altitude of about 30 degrees, from the middle of the northern hemisphere.
The Red Planet will reach a position in its orbit that takes it only about 88 million kilometers from Earth, in opposition, meaning that it will be exactly opposite to the Sun, from the Earth's perspective, on Christmas Eve. Even if you don't have a telescope to view the planet in its closest position to Earth, it won't really matter, as the -1.6 magnitude will capture your attention and you will spend a few minutes watching Earth's twin planet.
However, in the next month, the planet will be far away from Earth, as fast as it approached it increasing the distance between 2 to over 100 million kilometers, which means that its magnitude will increase back to -0.6 that it usually displays. So, if you want to view the Red Planet and its icy polar ice cap, this is the best time to do it.
The observation period will be much more friendlier this winter though, as the planet will be visible in the sky during the first hours of the night, not like in the autumn when you had to get up early in the morning to observe it.
The night that presents most interest for observers is that before Christmas Eve, when the contrast between the full moon phase and the increased brightness of the Red Planet will claim its part of attention; however, some unlucky observers in western Canada and Europe will not have the chance to view the spectacular event, as the Moon will occult the planet.