If you missed the glorious display from a blood red moon and radiant Mars during the weekend's early morning eclipse, there's another opportunity to get a good glimpse of the red planet tonight – Mars will be the closest to Earth it's been in the last 15 years.

Unlike the eclipse, (which was more lengthy than usual but still a tough one to catch if you're usually in bed at 5.30am on a Saturday), this planetary performance can be enjoyed over the course of several hours tonight – and in the next few nights too.

The red planet is closer than usual. Credit:NASA

"Mars is at its closest to earth in 15 years [tonight], but tomorrow and the next day and the next day it will be pretty good as well," says University of Sydney astronomer Tim Bedding.

Viewing it is easy, he adds. "Mars will be rising as the sun sets, and rising higher and higher in the eastern sky during the evening. Later in the evening it will be more prominent, passing overhead at midnight.