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• What is the ecliptic?
• Note the faint but visible star fairly close to Mars tonight. Its name is Porrima. If you can't see this star because of light-polluted skies, try using binoculars. Porrima should be quite easy to spot close to Mars with an optical aid. Watch the change of Mars' position relative to Porrima for the next several weeks. Using Porrima as your guide, you'll easily see the change of Mars' position after a week or two.
• This evening, let the fat waxing crescent moon be your guide to the sparkling blue-white star Spica, the ringed planet Saturn and the red planet Mars.
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