Occasionally, I'll receive an email hoax as noted below. However, this event is REAL, so please take time out and observe the brightest "star" in the skies:
POPULAR MARS Email Hoax - Planet Mars at closest distance to earth
I've been watching Mars for weeks and it's spectacular 
.. Please take a brief break if you have clear skies to observe this if possible. Even if you miss tonight, it'll still be close by all month.
Mars - Closest encounter to earth until 2016
http://www.spaceweather.com/
VIEWING TIPS (at least for northern hemisphere)
- About 2 hours after sunset, look in eastern skies for a very bright "star" rising from horizon
- Mars will continue moving higher in skies overnight
- Eventually it will become the brightest "star" in skies
- For C2C fans, look for UFO opportunities tonight 
QUOTE: CLOSE ENCOUNTER: Tonight, Dec. 18th, Mars makes its closest approach to Earth until the year 2016. At a distance of only 55 million miles, Mars outshines every star in the night sky (it is slightly brighter than Sirius) and draws attention to itself with its distinctive red color.