Stargazers should have spectacular views of Planet Mars over Ireland tonight.

The planet comes close to the earth every two years – however this year, it’s the closest it’s been in over a decade.

Although the planet is visible to the naked eye, Astronomy Ireland is inviting people to its Dublin headquarters to observe its finer details through giant telescopes.

Chairman David Moore explains why they’re encouraging people to come along and get involved: “Be it decades or centuries into the future, the future of mankind is in space.

“There are already billionaires on Earth who are planning to put tens of thousands of people on Mars, in our lifetime.

“I mean some of the kids looking through telescopes, there is a good chance some of them will end up living or working on Mars.”