I just got an e-mail about how Mars will be at its closest in August than its been in millenia. Here's the article.

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 ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN.

Mars should appear approximately 85 times brighter than normal.

This is sooo cool. Mars was pretty bright and big back in 1983. And this is supposed to be even better. Get ready to take some nice pictures.

How exciting!! Thanks for posting this, Nakis! We have a telescope, and we will have to see if we might be able to get a really close look at it. I'll have to try attaching the camera and take some shots thru the 'scope! =)

Wouldn't it be fun if all of us could meet at an observatory at the end of August, and have a big SK party and watch the Red Planet? Wooo Hooo!!!

Thanks for letting us know about this Nakis! James is a real astronomy buff, so I'll have to remind him of this. Now that we've moved out to the middle of nowhere, watching the stars in a sky devoid of city lights has become a real treat.

Cool! Thanks for the info. I'll be digging my t'scope out next month to check out the Red Planet!

I love astronomy too. Unfortunately I live in the city so viewing is limited. But when special celestial events occur I usually trek out to my folks to see them from there, they're out in the boonies. =)

KJP

That is just too kewl! I'm hoping that we get a good view of it. We're in the same boat Kevin. We don't live in the city, but it's just bright enough out this way to sometimes make it difficult to get a good view of the night sky.

Mare, that would be SO much fun!

Oh wow! Thanks Nakis for sharing that information with us. Mare, I just might come over and have a peek through your scope!

Kim, you would be more than welcome to come and peep through the t'scope with us! Would love to have you! =)

Hehehehe, that's a lovely thought Mare. We could enjoy some good southwestern recipes and drinks

That is the best being away from all the light pollution Carrie. Some of my most favorite memories are of being somewhere where the sky was clear and the stars were out in their full glory. I'm jealous =) .

I'm pretty much in the same boat as you two Kevin and Trinity. I live in one of those areas that show up as bright spots on those pictures of earth at night from space.

Has anyone caught a of glimpse of Mars? I can see it from where we are. It's beautiful!!!!! We don't have a telescope, but I am desperately trying to locate anyone near us that might have one!

It's just so neat, if you look at the stars in the night sky they always appear to have a white/blue glow, when you look at Mars it actually has a pinkish glow and is just so bright. I am fascinated by astronomy and I think it's unbelievable that we are looking at something that hasn't been this close to the earth in 60,000 years!!!!!

[ August 17, 2003, 10:42 PM: Message edited by: Trinity ]

I'm so glad I came across this thread! I never would have known what that intensely bright object I've been seeing for the past month in the sky was! It is very bright, and I thought it was Mars...and now I'm sure. I can't wait until the 27th. That is going to be so cool, especially knowing no one alive today....will ever see this again!

Christine