The moon will pass directly in front of Mars, blocking it from view. This event, called an occultation —from a Latin word meaning “hidden”—happens once or twice per year somewhere on Earth.
The moon will turn full as Mars arrives at opposition to the sun, resulting in an almost perfect alignment in space of the sun, Earth, moon and Mars.
An illustration of the night sky on Dec. 07 showing the full Cold Moon in close proximity to Mars. (Image credit: Sky Safari Astronomy)
Mars at opposition will meet up with the full moon next week (Dec. 7). Here's how to see it
Every once in a while, something will appear in the sky that will attract the attention of even those who normally don't bother looking up.
It's likely to be that way in the evening hours of Wednesday (Dec. 7) when the full moon will appear in very close proximity to the now-brilliant planet Mars. In fact, the moon will turn full at 11:08 p.m. EST (0408 GMT on Dec. 8) followed by Mars arriving at opposition to the sun just 87 minutes later. This will result in an almost perfect alignment in space of the sun, Earth, moon and Mars.
People, who are unaware or have no advance notice, will almost certainly wonder, as they cast a casual glance toward our nearest neighbor in space on this first Wednesday in December, just what is that "bright orange-yellow light"? Sometimes, such occasions bring with them a sudden rash of phone calls to radio and television stations, local planetariums, weather offices and police precincts. Not a few of these calls excitedly inquire about "the mysterious UFO" that's closely hovering in the vicinity of our natural satellite!
If you don't live in any of the locations listed below that will provide a good chance to see the event in person, you're in luck: The Virtual Telescope Project will be hosting a livestream of Mars at opposition(opens in new tab) beginning at 11:00 p.m. EST on Dec. 7 (0400 GMT on Dec. 8).