Mars

PAgirl9 · 06-22-2005, 10:12 PM

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.

NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN

I found this really interesting and thought I'd share it. Reminds you of those sci-fi movies where there are two moons in the sky.

dana · 06-23-2005, 12:29 AM

That is very cool.

Gatsby · 06-23-2005, 01:14 AM

i remember a year or two ago there were big things about this and it was only a small dot in the sky... hopefully we get a better picture

Aisling · 06-25-2005, 06:12 PM

thats so cool its not funny.
this better not be a joke!

Livo · 06-25-2005, 06:40 PM

yeah revelate i remember that.. it was scary though, all red and angry up there in the sky!! can't wait to see this, it'll be class. i'm guessing all those times are in american time?

PAgirl9 · 06-26-2005, 03:08 PM

yeh, didn't think of that-they probably are american times-this is not a joke.How could you accuse me of such tom-foolery?

06-22-2005, 10:12 PM	#1
PAgirl9 Word painter Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Location: Here in front of the computer reading your messages.Where I live: PA,USA Posts: 463	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. NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN I found this really interesting and thought I'd share it. Reminds you of those sci-fi movies where there are two moons in the sky. __________________ ~Amanda~ "Believe it or not George isn't at home please leave a message at the BEEP, I must be out or I'd pick up the phone, Where Could I Be?, Belive it or not I'm not home!" "I don't have an MD or Law degree- I have a bachelors in kicking ass in taking names,"

06-23-2005, 12:29 AM	#2
dana Eskimo Regular Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 144	That is very cool. __________________ "As long as she remains under arrest, none of us is truly free." Desmond Tutu Free Aung San Suu Kyi

06-23-2005, 01:14 AM	#3
Gatsby Eskimo Regular Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Dublin Posts: 5,809	i remember a year or two ago there were big things about this and it was only a small dot in the sky... hopefully we get a better picture __________________ "Tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms further…And on fine morning - So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." https://www.twitch.tv/simonjmusic

06-25-2005, 06:12 PM	#4
Aisling Mel is so hot right now Join Date: May 2003 Location: Bromwich suite Posts: 2,773	thats so cool its not funny. this better not be a joke! __________________ america is so hot right now

06-25-2005, 06:40 PM	#5
Livo Eskimo Frames Expert Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: People's Republic of Cork Posts: 2,559	yeah revelate i remember that.. it was scary though, all red and angry up there in the sky!! can't wait to see this, it'll be class. i'm guessing all those times are in american time? __________________ trying to find a little chaos in the order..

06-26-2005, 03:08 PM	#6
PAgirl9 Word painter Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Location: Here in front of the computer reading your messages.Where I live: PA,USA Posts: 463	yeh, didn't think of that-they probably are american times-this is not a joke.How could you accuse me of such tom-foolery? __________________ ~Amanda~ "Believe it or not George isn't at home please leave a message at the BEEP, I must be out or I'd pick up the phone, Where Could I Be?, Belive it or not I'm not home!" "I don't have an MD or Law degree- I have a bachelors in kicking ass in taking names,"