Spectacular Mars

[cgarr]

Sure happy I got my Daughter a telescope for her birthday this spring!!

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 and grandchildren.


NO HUMAN BEING HAS EVER SEEN THIS - - AND

NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN.

[Jim Richards]

The encounter will culminate on August 27th

So, we all missed it, eh?

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

So, we all missed it, eh?

huh

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

huh

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.

May/June? Nah.

The encounter will culminate on August 27th...

So, mark your calendar at the beginning of August to see Mars grow progressively brighter and brighter throughout the month.

Unless you're referring to this:

The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287.

But, I don't think I'll wait around for that.

[cgarr]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

So, we all missed it, eh?

No need to worry Jim, I am sure you will still be around for the next viewing in 2287

[dyhunter]

http://www.snopes.com/science/astronomy/brightmars.asp


seems to be a hoax.

[TerryH]

http://www.snopes.com/science/astronomy/brightmars.asp

I was in Mn in 2003 and really enjoyed the view away from LA and the city lights.

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by cgarr

No need to worry Jim, I am sure you will still be around for the next viewing in 2287

That's 'cause I'm so damn young.

[cgarr]

So I would have stayed up all night for nothing except for drinking beer?

I just ran it thru Stellarium for that date and its no different, maybe next time?

Jupiter may be nice?

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by cgarr

So I would have stayed up all night for nothing except for drinking beer?

Do it for Guinness.

[cgarr]

So who is the "Snope" guy who keeps wrecking all my drinking fun?? piss on him, I'm drinking anyhow!!

[sammyg2]

You can stare at this al night:

[Heel n Toe]

Check out this site... especially the links section...

http://www.synapticsystems.com/sky/astron.htm