Mars is breaking the rules right now. It's going the wrong way.
Earth and its neighbor are very close to each other right now. Our planet is passing by Mars on our orbit around the sun, thus causing it to look like Mars is moving in the other direction... but it's not.
If you're willing to brave the cold, there are several planets to see in the night sky, plus the International Space Station will be showing up over the next few nights; find the Little Dipper and you'll know where to look to see the ISS.
You can hear Astro Bob's Backyard Astronomy every other Tuesday at 8:20am on Northland Morning.