Mars

20:08 BST on 03 October

Constellation: Pisces Magnitude: -2.1 AM/PM: PM

Mars is nearly at its best for this year – it will be at opposition on 13 October. Throughout September it brightens from magnitude -1.8 to -2.5 as it also begins to move retrograde – as if it’s moving backwards. Look for Mars rising in the east at about 21:30, and the Red Planet is visible all night.