See Jupiter and Mars make a spectacular close approach overnight Nov. 15-16

Good news for astronomy enthusiasts: Mars and Jupiter are set to put on a spectacular celestial show in the constellation Leo on the night of November 15-16. It's an event that won't occur again until July 2029, as the two planets will be at their closest point in 2-2.5 years.

When you look up, you'll see the two superior planets, whose orbits are beyond Earth's, just over 1 degree apart as they rise over the eastern horizon. The blue-white light of the main-sequence star Regulus will glow below, adding to the sight. However, despite the close proximity from our perspective, the planets are actually separated by a vast distance of over 368 million miles.

Mars will appear as a reddish, ochre disk with dark surface features, while Jupiter will display its impressive cloud bands. Both planets will seem full through the eyepiece of a 6-inch telescope, revealing the unique characteristics of these gas giants.

So, if you're interested in stargazing and taking pictures of these planets, it's a perfect opportunity. For tips on observing and photographing the planets, check out our related guides and recommended gear.