Forums · Watch for Mars!
I got this via email and wanted to share it with you all. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
--Kell
The Red Planet is about to be SPECTACULAR!
This month (July) 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 10 p.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 12:30 a.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 everyone! NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN!
[ September 02, 2005, 07:37 PM: Message edited by: KellKell ]
--KellThe Red Planet is about to be SPECTACULAR!
This month (July) 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 10 p.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 12:30 a.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 everyone! NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN!
[ September 02, 2005, 07:37 PM: Message edited by: KellKell ]
![[No]](graemlins/no.gif)
Hey Kell, thanks for the heads up on this. I can't wait to have a closer look at Mars. Knowing this is a once in a lifetime opportunity will make this spectacular event even more special. I too am a night owl Robbert so I'll be setting up on the back deck for a few nights I think. =)
I heard from a co-worker today that this is apparently a hoax? She read an article in the Globe and Mail that reported this was a hoax email which apparently went around the world. If that is true I have to say this was likely one of the better email hoaxes yet. I've come to learn that many people I know recieved the email as you did Kell. I have to admit I'm rather bummed about it as I was excited about the idea of seeing Mars in the way it was reported that we would. =( Oh well until I read something on this being a hoax myself I'll continue to gaze into the skies with hopes to catch a glimmer of Mars. Gazing at the night skies is always a worth while venture anyway as one never knows what you might see and a dark sky loaded with stars is mesmerizing. =)
Gazing at the night skies is always a worth while venture anyway as one never knows what you might see and a dark sky loaded with stars is mesmerizing. =)Actually it's not a hoax. It's a mistake. After mid month when I couldn't find Mars as it was supposed to look like I did some research.
The original article was date for 2003 not 2005.
But good news though. Come October we will be close to Mars again. I dont' know the dates but NASA just launched another Mars probe since we are catching up in orbit with Mars. We'll be there soon.
The original article was date for 2003 not 2005.
But good news though. Come October we will be close to Mars again. I dont' know the dates but NASA just launched another Mars probe since we are catching up in orbit with Mars. We'll be there soon.
Ahh thanks Nakis. =) I didn't see the article myself so can't comment on the content or wording but it sounds like the reporter didn't have have his or her facts straight. I did try to do a search for the article but didn't find anything. You have to pay a fee to view full stories (only first few lines given) and I don't have the title so those comments could have been within any of the related articles that came up. I was curious to see what they said but no matter now since you found it was a mistake vs a hoax. That is good news we will be close to Mars again come October. The explorations and discoveries made to date of this vast mysterious universe have been quite amazing and very interesting. It's exciting to think of what more we will learn or see as technology and science continues to advance. =)