MARS has been quite easy to see this month as it reaches its biggest and brightest ahead of lining up with the sun tonight. 

Skygazers may notice that Mars is looking bigger and brighter right now due to a process that only happens every two years or so.

The event, known as 'opposition' among astronomers, is when Mars and the sun are on directly opposite sides of Earth.

This year is special because of how close Mars is to the sun and how high the planet is in the sky, making it easier to see without a telescope.

The Red Planet will not be as big or bright again until 2033. 

Although people should see the orange planet already, it will be at its best around 1am on Wednesday, October 14, according to the Royal Observatory Greenwich.

"Despite cloudy weather forecast for parts of the UK, Mars should be visible among any breaks and even through lighter cloud," said Hannah Banyard, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich.

Why does 'opposition' happen?

The opposition - also known as a 'full mars' - happens in 26-month cycles because Earth travels faster than Mars.

Earth makes two trips around the sun in about the same amount of time that Mars takes to make one.

This means sometimes the two planets are on opposite sides of the sun, very far apart, and other times, Earth catches up with its neighbour and passes relatively close to it.

Every 15 or 17 years the opposition occurs within a few weeks of Mars' perihelion, which is the point in its orbit when it is closest to the sun. 

“It’s a really good chance to view it – the last time this happened was 2018 but it was quite difficult for a lot of people to see because it was quite down in the horizon,” Ms Banyard said. 

“For about a month or so now, it’s been quite easy to see. As it’s getting close to opposition it’s rising earlier. It rises from sunset and then you can see it and it gets up quite high into the sky, so it’s really easy to spot.”

Where can I watch it in the North-East?

Anyone wishing to spot the opposition should head out to an area with low light pollution and give their eyes time to adjust to the dark.

If you can't get to the countryside or coast, try a balcony or rooftop but minimise light.

Allow around 20 minutes to let your eyes adapt to the dark.

Keen stargazers should also check the weather before heading out as clouds may block the natural wonder - but Mars' brightness will be visible through the clouds. 

October is full of stargazing events, with a second full moon expected on Halloween.