Thursday, August 07, 2003
And have you planned your Red Planet party yet? You mean you haven't received the email that said:
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 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 your children and grandchildren.
NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN.
And if you are planning a Red Planet viewing party, the only one you can have for another 50,000 years, someone wants to know about it. Universe Today wants to hear about it.
“I’m starting to gather a list of worldwide locations for observatories and astronomy clubs that will be showcasing Mars to the public as we lead up to August 27,” publisher Fraser Cain writes. “I’d like to make as comprehensive a list as possible before the 27th so people can find their closest telescope.”
The Planetary Society is also keeping track of star parties and other celebrations this month as part of its Mars Day project. If you have an addition to the list, let Universe Today and the Planetary Society know about it.
Thanks to my friend Doreen for the heads-up on this once in a half-50,000 year event.
Iktu verata nictu,
-Larry
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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 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 your children and grandchildren.
NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN.
And if you are planning a Red Planet viewing party, the only one you can have for another 50,000 years, someone wants to know about it. Universe Today wants to hear about it.
“I’m starting to gather a list of worldwide locations for observatories and astronomy clubs that will be showcasing Mars to the public as we lead up to August 27,” publisher Fraser Cain writes. “I’d like to make as comprehensive a list as possible before the 27th so people can find their closest telescope.”
The Planetary Society is also keeping track of star parties and other celebrations this month as part of its Mars Day project. If you have an addition to the list, let Universe Today and the Planetary Society know about it.
Thanks to my friend Doreen for the heads-up on this once in a half-50,000 year event.
Iktu verata nictu,
-Larry
|
