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Mars To Put On A Celestial Show Christmas Eve

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Dec 24, 2007 2:17 pm US/Eastern

Mars To Put On A Celestial Show Christmas Eve

MIAMI (CBS4) ― If you happen to be out and about on Christmas Eve remember to gaze skyward for an unusual site.

No, sorry it won't be Santa or his reindeer. Instead, it will be the planet Mars lit up like a celestial celebrity.

The reason for the unusually bright appearance of the Red Planet is because it is in direct opposition to the sun. While this happens just about two years, Mars will appear to be particularly spectacular Christmas Eve night because it will be only about 40-million miles from Earth.

Mars, which will be just above and to the right of the moon, will rise about an hour after sunset. The two celestial bodies will then ride in tandem across the night time sky.  Mars will reach its highest point (almost overhead) with the full Moon between midnight and 2 a.m.

CBS4 Weather Control says it will be just a little cloudy Monday night, so you won't have any trouble seeing the show.

Astronomers say if you miss it, you will have to wait until 2016 to catch a repeat performance.

(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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