Hi, I thought you might be interested in an e-mail sent to me today by a friend.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
Can't wait to see it as I have always been fascinated by Mars....maybe they'r coming to take me home lol,
Love and light
reikiangel
xxx
RE: Mars up close!
Hi,
I haven't checked this story, but I'll check my Astro programs.
I think something is missing from the end of the quote, perhaps it should end:
'Mars will appear as big as the moon, since 25.11 arc seconds, times 75 is 30 arc minutes or 1/2 arc degree, which is the apparent diameter of the moon''
Leo
RE: Mars up close!
Reikiangel,
I am afraid you had better get your friend to check his/her facts, the nearest approach to the Earth of Mars, or its 'Opposition' is on 7/8th November,,, Please look at:
[DLMURL] http://www.tnni.net/~dustymars/Article_2005.htm [/DLMURL]
for more details, and at:
[DLMURL] 
[/DLMURL]
for a drawing of the night sky on that date.
Leo
RE: Mars up close!
Dear Leo,
Thank you for the links, they were very interesting! I will pass them on to my friend,
Love and light
reikiangel
xxx
RE: Mars up close!
Strange. My Oz uncle forwarded that to me, too. BUT my son reckoned he had that info sent to him a couple of years ago.....
I've not been able to find any other references.
Thanks for the links Leo, I'll have a mooch later.
The info I got said Mars would appear as big as a full moon - must say I was a little perturbed taking into consideration its size in comparison to the moon etc., and the effect it may have on gravitational pull etc. But I'm only a lay-person so am only guessing.
Love
Glenys