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On the night of Curiosity’s planned landing in the Red Planet, Mars is low in the southwest along with Saturn as shown in this 20-second exposure made at 9:15 p.m. CDT from the Chicago area.
Saturn appears above Spica, the brightest star in Virgo.
In about a week, Mars passes between Saturn and Spica.
(The streak of light at left is an airplane.)
Watch the planetary pair in the evening sky throughout this month. For our monthly sky watching posting, click here. (Click the image to see it larger.)