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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,341 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2724 Posts |
Mars
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
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Member
United States
703 Posts |
ND, already heard about this but very cool indeed.
You should all look to the skies this month.
Side note .... one (wrong) web version I read said it Mars will be bigger than the moon......I just thought...hmmm...no way. lol
Edited by Errorcoins
08/04/2005 4:24 pm
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Rest in Peace
United States
954 Posts |
Sounds Kool to me. However I plan to be here for the next one too...  catman |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
867 Posts |
Hadn't heard about this- definately have to go out and check this out! I was an astronomy geek as a kid, and I still like to look at the stars. I remember as a kid standing outside with my uncle freezing our behinds off looking through a telescope at Halley's comet. My uncle figured neither of us were likely to be around for the next visit, so we were gonna be out there to see it no matter how cold it was! Rachel [:p] |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
980 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2724 Posts |
Well that is just heartbreaking. I must have missed 2003. I guess it is like those who remember the 1960's. If you remember it, you weren't there.
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Rest in Peace
United States
3730 Posts |
Very interesting. However common sense suggests it won't be as large appearing as the moon. Boy, that would cause a panic. Will be bright however, and something to see. Should be the most exciting astronomical event since the comet showed up and and stayed around for a few weeks not too many summers ago.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
867 Posts |
Awwww, that's too bad! I do remember the close encounter a few years back, and I just figured it was still in the neighborhood. Must have missed the part about being as large as the moon, that really would freak people out!  Rachel [:p] |
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Valued Member
United States
138 Posts |
Isn't this how the original H.G. Wells version of War of the Worlds started? The planets passing closely by....without the part of the internet hoax, I mean.
Nick
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Rest in Peace
United States
2884 Posts |
Finally, close enough for me to get back home....... |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
867 Posts |
You said that, Mike- not us!!   Rachel [:p] |
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Rest in Peace
United States
3730 Posts |
Yes, I was thinking at the time that it had already happened. You would think that people would have better things to do than to get us coin collectors' hopes up for a space spectacular. Oh well, lots of other things of interest. For example, if you look at the cresent moon tonight, it's pretty spectacular, with a planet seen in the nearby field of view.
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Valued Member
United States
146 Posts |
This is coming up. So let's watch for it
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,341 |
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Posted 08/04/2005 5:46 pm
