Over the past few months, stargazers have watched Mars move through Gemini and the Beehive Star Cluster in Cancer. The red planet is now rushing to a close encounter with Regulus, the brightest star in Leo, and has its sights set on a dramatic pairing with Saturn in July.

Only 5 degrees separate Mars and Regulus in the western sky tonight.

By June 30, the Red Planet will rapidly close that gap to within one degree of the bluish and slightly brighter Regulus.

Start looking for the duo around one hour after sunset, about 20 degrees above the western horizon.

One clenched fist held out at arm's length toward the horizon equals about 10 degrees.

Don't forget to look for the much brighter Saturn.

Only one clenched fist separates the ring world from Mars now. By July 10, the duo will be separated by less than one degree.

This dramatic conjunction should be viewed early because the pair will set within two hours after sunset.