Get Your Telescope Ready....

Because if you have one, use it. Mars will be in its best viewing position for us at any time until the years 2014. Mars is "the only planet whose surface we can see in any detail from the Earth." From Nov. 30 to Jan. 5, 2008, Mars will come closest to Earth. In fact, "amateurs with telescopes as small as 4-inches and magnifying above 120-power should be able to make out some dusky markings on the small yellow-orange disk, and perhaps the bright white polar cap." But size is not important. From Dec. 15 through Dec. 29, Mars will be at magnitude -1.6, which is a little bit brighter than Sirius. When Mars reaches its highest point in the sky, its altitude will be 70-degrees in Seattle at around midnight. So planet watchers: get ready, get set, GO!

http://www.space.com/spacewatch/070928_ns_mars_watch.html