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Bill Kiene semi-retired
05-31-2005, 09:55 PM
All you romantics make a note.

MARS SPECTACULAR!

The Red Planet is about to be spectacular! This month and next, Earth is catching up with Mars in an encounter that will culminate in the closest
approach between the two planets in recorded history. The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287. Due to the way Jupiter's gravity tugs on Mars and perturbs its orbit, astronomers can only be certain that Mars has not come this close to Earth in the Last 5,000 years, but it may be as long as 60,000 years before it happens again.

The encounter will culminate on August 27th when Mars comes to within 34,649,589 miles of Earth and will be (next to the moon) the brightest object in the night sky. It will attain a magnitude of -2.9 and will appear 25.11 arc seconds wide. At a modest 75-power magnification

Mars will look as large as the full moon to the naked eye. Mars will be easy to spot. At the beginning of August it will rise in the east at 10p.m. and reach its azimuth at about 3 a.m.

By the end of August when the two planets are closest, Mars will rise at nightfall and reach its highest point in the sky at 12:30a.m. That's pretty convenient to see something that no human being has seen in recorded history. So, mark your calendar at the beginning of August to see Mars grow progressively brighter and brighter throughout the month.

Share this with your children, grandchildren, teachers, students, etc. etc..

NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN

Hairstacker
05-31-2005, 11:03 PM
Bill, thanks! I'll look forward to this with the kids. 8) Must note though, the rovers have YET to find any fishing locations on Mars. Problem appears to be lack of water and lack of fish. Sad.

Tony Buzolich
07-05-2005, 04:35 PM
Bill, you said that Mars will be the size of our full moon??? Geez, that's kind of scary, a red and a white ball both at the same time?

Wonder what affect this will have on the tides? Mid August 12th-18th is full moon too.

TONY

Adam Grace
07-05-2005, 04:42 PM
Tony hopefully the fish will go crazy and bite everything we trow at them :D

Thanks for the info Bill.

I look forward to seeing Mars enlarged in the sky.

slack_in_the_box
08-08-2005, 09:18 AM
Sad news everyone. :cry:

I found this on the web...


http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2005/07jul_marshoax.htm

Adam Grace
08-08-2005, 05:01 PM
Oh well, Mars will be pretty close anyway.

That's still cool!

I will still be looking for Mars in the night's sky.

Thanks for the correct info.