Mars

[ashutosh_cool16]

CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH MARS

Never again in our lifetimes will the Red Planet be so spectacular!
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
quite convenient when it comes to viewing a celestial occurrence 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. August 27th
will be the close encounter!

Share this! No one alive today will ever see this again.

[imnotanaddict]

I'll have to check my sundial to see if I can work it in.
I'll have my people get with your people.



















SOUNDS GOOD
Be looking forward to it.

[Miyake]

what line of longditude will it be best seen at?

im in the uk

[the_faceman]

http://www.space.com/images/am_dorman_030619_02.jpg 10" telescope picture.

Where is Mars? Mars Locator (http://www.space.com/spacewatch/where_is_mars.html)

[ashutosh_cool16]

ALL ur questions answered......


Why Mars will be So Close to Earth in August?

http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/mars...t_030121-1.html (http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/mars_orbit_030121-1.html)



Where is the Red Planet Now?

http://www.space.com/spacewatch/where_is_mars.html


The Summer of Mars: What You'll See, How to Observe

http://www.space.com/spacewatch/mars_obser...ing_030613.html (http://www.space.com/spacewatch/mars_observing_030613.html)



Really interesting topics....

[MagicNakor]

Well, I currently can't see Mars.

But a blood-red sun and moon are ...interesting. ;)

:ninja:

[Jay]

i would like to see it but cant afford a telescope

[lynx]

Although you won't see any detail, it is already very visible after about 10pm, and should get a lot better by next week. You should be able to see quite good detail with a decent pair of binoculars, providing you can hold them steady enough.

[ashutosh_cool16]

i would like to see it but cant afford a telescope


There are many skywatching events at the local astronomy clubs/planetarium's..
check out in ur area....

[ashutosh_cool16]

i would like to see it but cant afford a telescope


There are many skywatching events at the local astronomy clubs/planetarium's..
check out in ur area.... do not miss this opportunity....