It’s a term used by astronomers to describe when Earth, Mars and the Sun align. When this happens, Earth sits directly between Mars and the Sun, positioning the red planet directly opposite of the Sun in the sky.

The Red Planet will be at its closest point to Earth, also known as perigee, on Jan. 12 and will be exactly opposite the sun on Jan. 15. It will be visible all night long because it will rise with the sunset and set with the sunrise.

The Red Planet reaches its best position all year this week on January 15. Here’s how and when to get out and see it.

Mars will seem to disappear behind the full wolf moon Monday for many sky-gazers. Throughout January, also look up to see Venus, Saturn and Jupiter in the night sky.

For those outside the Eastern Time Zone, the timing will vary slightly, but the Wolf Moon will dominate the night skies across the country. How Long Do Full Moons Last? A full moo

Helen Willetts takes a look at what's going on in the night sky and the chances of seeing this month's Wolf Moon.

At 8:07 p.m. Monday, stargazers in Chicago will see Mars disappear behind the moon and reappear on the other side of the moon at 9:17 p.m. Also this week, multiple planets will be clearly visible in the night sky in a parade of planets.

January's wolf moon will officially be the first full moon of 2025 at 4:27 p.m. CT. Space is a big place, so keen stargazers will have the opportunity to see, or rather not see, Mars as it hides behind the moon before it has its own moment later in the week.