Mars will be closer to earth tonight than it has been in 11 years.

To the naked eye it will look like the brightest 'star' in the sky and then it will recede from Earth again for another few years.

From 10pm the public can view Mars 'live' from the Astronomy Ireland Headquarters in Dublin.

The Moon will also be nearby and so will the planets Saturn and Jupiter which will also be shown in giant telescopes.

David Moore, the editor of Astronomy Ireland magazine, had the following to say: "Indeed, it is almost certain that many schoolchildren, including those from Ireland, will be working on Mars during their careers with a famous and well-respected company intending to put 80,000 people on Mars by 2040. [...] We hope everyone in Ireland will come along and see something they have never seen in their lives before, the surface of Mars with its ice caps, sandy deserts and dark surface markings that many scientists in the 1800s thought was plant life, leading to all the books and speculations of 'martians' - this is why 'little green men' always come from Mars, and no other planet! Come and see for yourself!"

National Mars Watch takes place at Astronomy Ireland headquarters in Rosemount Business Park in Blanchardstown just outside the M50, but also from other parts of the country via the M50.

The event kicks off as the Sun sets at 10pm. Mars is so bright we will be able to see it in daylight and Astronomy Ireland hope to keep showing it in the telescopes for several hours.