Mars closest encounter

~mr mixx~

The Candyman
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Well i thought this subject was interesting when i was told about it , but was it all overhyped....

or did anyone acually see this event ??



Subject: NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN
Thought this is interesting enough to pass around

IT OUGHT TO BE SOMETHING TO SEE!

Once in a lifetime...


another links with info :

http://www.planetary.org/news/2007/0814_Not_This_August_or_Any_August_Mars.html

21aug_hurtlingtomars.htm


Mars
mars.jpg





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

-edit-

the above text was copied from a web page....just for reference.
 
Thats really interesting :) Haven't noticed any change, but I'll be on the lookout tonight... shame its very cloudy :(
 
hmm.. I wish I had known about this earlier. Too many clouds tonight. But I'm guessing it will be there still for a few nights. :)
 
Its real cloudy in the uk here so I dont think il be able to see it today, plus you have to go out after midnight and Im on early shift 6AM start tommorow so il be tucked up in bed by then shame.
 
Looks pretty cool. While I am on my comp tonight I will look up to the night dky and look for mars...
 
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