MUMBAI: 19 Dec 2007.

Skygazers will be able to see planet Mars in the eastern sky every evening in the coming weeks.

According to astronomers, the red planet will remain unusually close to Earth this week, getting the nearest on Tuesday evening.

Mars will not be this close to Earth again until 2016, NASA scientists said in their Space Weather Alert report. The two planets will lie only 55 million miles apart.

The close encounter between the two planets can also be observed on the website,

www.spaceweather.com

which will post observing tips, photos and sky maps for those wanting to enjoy the celestial phenomenon.

By (TofI)