Mars takes center stage for sky-watchers this week, enjoying a rendezvous with the moon and a pair of creatures straight out of the zodiac.

About 30 minutes after sunset on Monday, October 27, look toward the low southwest for the waxing crescent moon with orange-hued Mars to its left.

The red planet appears less than 10 degrees away from the moon, which is less than the width of your fist held away from you at arm's length.

By the next evening the moon will have risen above Mars.

As an added attraction for telescope users, the red planet will appear next to the famed Lagoon Nebula, located in the constellation Sagittarius. Also known as Messier 8, the giant star factory resides about 5,200 light-years from Earth. It