Under clear skies, the moon will be visible creeping slowly toward and ultimately passing just below the red planet Mars at around 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 5, according to astronomy experts. The event will provide an excellent opportunity for eager photographers.

A planetary conjunction takes place whenever two planets attain the same celestial longitude in the night sky, according to Zhao Zhiheng, an astronomy education expert and member of the Astronomy Association. Mars is the only terrestrial planet that can be observed clearly using a telescope. The planet may one day be transformed into a civilized planet for humanity, Zhao said.