Mars Doubles In Brightness

During the past month, Mars has doubled in brightness. You don't even need a telescope to enjoy the sight of Mars. It is plainly visible to the naked eye, bright and red, standing out among the pale stars of Gemini. Pictures taken from backyard telescopes include scenes of a blue polar swirl which is the "North Polar Hood"-a giant icy cloud that forms over the Martian north pole during winter. The blue hood vs. Mars' red terrain appear in pleasing contrast through any mid-sized backyard telescope.
Mars is currently so bright and attractive because Earth and Mars are converging. At closest approach on Dec. 18th, the two worlds will lie only 55 million miles apart. NASA is taking advantage of the close encounter to send a new mission to Mars: the Phoenix Lander.

http://www.skynightly.com/reports/Mars_Doubles_In_Brightness_999.html