STARGAZERS are hoping for a clear sky tonight as Mars reaches its closest to Earth for 60,000 years.

Telescopes have been trained on the red planet each night this week and Mars-gazing parties are being held around the world as the planet comes within 35 million miles.

At Crown East, where members of Worcester Astronomical Society have set up their telescopes, viewing was at its best on Sunday night.

"It was absolutely brilliant. The sky was completely clear and we had 50 people crowding around five telescopes until well after midnight," said the society's chairman, Chris Livingstone.

"The air quality was good and we got the best look at Mars we have had so far. We could see the polar ice caps easily, plus a few other markings.

"It's in a perfect position to see the syrtis major, a geological formation that is the darkest marking on Mars, throughout the coming week."

The planet takes 24 hours 40 minutes to rotate, so the same side is visible each night for about a week at a time.

It will be at its closest at 9.51am today and the best viewing time will be around midnight, if the sky is clear.

Anyone interested is welcome to join the astronomers in the Scouts Hall, Crown East, from 9.30pm tonight, tomorrow and Friday night for slide shows, computer displays and talks.

If the sky clears, viewing will start at 10.30pm and continue until after midnight.

"It doesn't look good at the moment, but you need to keep an eye on the weather forecast, because weather conditions change all the time," said Mr Livingstone.

"It might be clear here and raining somewhere else. We only want a clear spot over us to get a good view."

Worcester weatherman Paul Damari is forecasting cloud for the next couple of nights.

"It is not looking good for tonight, but we may have some clearer skies in the later part of the week and Mars will still be visible for some time yet," he said.