Early Wednesday evening (March 7), a brilliant yellowish-orange "star" will be shining above and to the left of the moon, which will officially turn full later that night. But the light is not a star — it's the planet Mars.
The distance separating the two celestial objects will be equal to roughly 10 degrees. (Your clenched fist held at arm's length measures about 10 degrees; so on Wednesday the moon and Mars will appear separated by about "one fist.")
Mars arrived at opposition on Saturday (March 3) and is now rising just prior to sunset and shining all night. Although only slightly dimmer than the brightest star Sirius, Mars will attract more attention — partly because of its distinctive golden-orange light and also because it beams at us with little or no twinkling, save when it appears low on the horizon.
