Mars: the bringer of war....

The title of this post comes, as you'll know, from 'the Planet Suite' by Holst and refers to the ancient association between our closest planetary neighbour and conflict here on Earth. The reason for this is, of course, the fact that Mars is a brilliant red object in the night sky, particularly at the moment when it is at its closest opposition since 2003.

Despite the proximity of the full Moon last night, Mars hung over the south-eastern horizon like a glittering garnet: definitely worth a look.