Is this true?

[Zak33]

This month and next, Earth is catching up with Mars, 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. The
encounter will culminate on August 27th when Mars comes to within
34,649,589 miles 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 Mars will rise in the east at 10 p.m. and reach its azimuth at
about 3 a.m. But 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 when it comes to seeing something that
no human 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!

No one alive today will ever see this again.


Is this true?

[CrapshoT]

i believe you m8

[oddytomtom]

i have read bout this, it seems well cool, i saw it in the metro paper i think

[Sair33]

Must be true then!!

Worth a look anyway I'd say - you never know!

[TiG]

Fairly sure its true, think Nasa are launched a Mars probe a few weeks back to take advantage of the reduced distance to travel therefore the reduction in time to get there.

TiG

[Bindibadgi]

Another thing i keep meaning todo. Gotta dig my scope out and have a look this weekend if its clear.

[Wiffle_BMXer]

Originally posted by oddytomtom
i i saw it in the metro paper i think

yup its true... the metro never lies ever!!!!!

should be very cool tho

[tonicblue]

I Think im gonna get out the old Tele scope. The parents have a pretty decent pair of Binoculars as well. Mite take a trip to the hills in the country side soon im gettin all excited now.

[Lowe]

Mars is easy to spot - looks like a very bright star that stands out, yet it kinda twinkles orangey/red.

I noticed it the other night and thought it was a little brighter than usual so I wouldn't be suprised if this were the case.

[spikegifted]

This event is absolutely true... Lost of people in the Planetary Society are getting themselves very excited about it... Anyway, if the heatwave continues until then, I think I'd still be up to have good view.

[[GSV]Trig]

At a modest 75-power magnification Mars will look as large as the full moon to the naked eye.

As large as the full moon, hello......

[Trash Man]

Really hope that it is true. I will have to get myself around to my mums and have a go on here telescope.

[TiG]

Originally posted by [GSV]Trig
As large as the full moon, hello......

it does say it will look as large as the full moon with a 75 POWER magnification.

THats certainly possible, and from all the stuff on it on the amature astronimers sites around the web it looks genuine to me.

TiG

[Zak33]

Trig can fly closer in his Hurricane anyway..so he only needs 74 1/2 magnification