Don't Miss It! Mars Will Dazzle Next to The Moon in the Night Sky This Week

This week brings a unique astronomical grouping that's worth a look. On Tuesday night, skywatchers will be able to catch a glimpse of Mars alongside the thin crescent moon.

The red planet will be less than 10 degrees above the horizon at sunset. The waxing crescent moon will hang less than 6 degrees to its lower left, reports Space.com. For reference, the width of your fist held at arm's length equals 10 degrees in the night sky, while the span of your index, middle, and ring fingers together is about five degrees, according to EarthSky.org.

Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo, can also be seen to the upper left of the moon, while the dimmer star, Porrima, will be roughly 3 degrees to the upper right of Mars. The moon will be about equidistant between Spica and Mars—creating a skewed triangle.

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You'll have a brief window to spot the moon and Mars on the night of August 26, as the celestial duo will slip below the skyline and out of view a little more than an hour after sunset. You can find the time of sunset in your area here.

While Mars and the moon can be seen with the naked eye, binoculars help. For optimal viewing, find an open, west-facing location that is free from obstructions like buildings or trees. Tonight, the crescent moon will appear below and to the right of Mars, and on Wednesday night, August 27, the moon will be to the left of Spica.

Next up, the moon will rendezvous with the red supergiant star Antares in the constellation Scorpius on the night before the first quarter moon phase on August 31, according to Space.com.