Guest Nellie2 Posted August 25, 2003 Report Share Posted August 25, 2003 Craig saw something last night which has prompted me to do a bit of researchhttp://www.windowsforum.org/support/forum/...?showtopic=4030Never again in our lifetime will the Red Planet be so spectacular! 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....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.... This is something that we will never get the opportunity to witness again and don't worry if it is cloudy on the 27th, any night in the next couple of weeks will give you a good view.here are some linkshttp://planetary.org/marswatch2003/observe.htmlhttp://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap030819.htmlhttp://www.google.com/search?q=mars+close+...approach+august Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bvw Posted August 25, 2003 Report Share Posted August 25, 2003 Fascinating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LB Posted August 25, 2003 Report Share Posted August 25, 2003 absolutely brilliant, i did astronomy in school and was fascinated by the planets and still am, i just love sitting outside at night watching them.......good post nell... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artist Posted August 25, 2003 Report Share Posted August 25, 2003 I got up at 4.30 - call of nature - saw it in the sky - like a plane coming in to land.Did anyone see the other lot, last year, was it? When there were a few to be seen.I like that stuff but hate to dwell on it too deeply - too awsome of what could happen. We are but a little light in the universe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LB Posted August 25, 2003 Report Share Posted August 25, 2003 I like that stuff but hate to dwell on it too deeply - too awsome of what could happen. We are but a little light in the universe.there is a good blonde comment to be had here but i will resist the temptation!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted August 25, 2003 Report Share Posted August 25, 2003 I'm taking bets:When will man (i doubt it will be a woman :lol: ) land on mars? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artist Posted August 25, 2003 Report Share Posted August 25, 2003 there is a good blonde comment to be had here but i will resist the temptation!!!You can - I'M not touchy! :lol: :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artist Posted August 25, 2003 Report Share Posted August 25, 2003 When will man (i doubt it will be a woman :lol: ) land on mars?No woman would be that bl***y stupid!! B) :ph34r:>>>>...........unless she was a Liverpool supporter! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted August 25, 2003 Report Share Posted August 25, 2003 It could be you Artist?Then again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LB Posted August 25, 2003 Report Share Posted August 25, 2003 It could be you Artist?Then again...once again, i shall resist, i shall save it all up for a rainy day!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artist Posted August 25, 2003 Report Share Posted August 25, 2003 Lost for words LB - surely not!!! Have I got you beat? :P :lol: :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bvw Posted August 25, 2003 Report Share Posted August 25, 2003 When will man (i doubt it will be a woman ) land on mars?2 rockets will land on Mars in January, who's to say they're not manned?Madboy's in one (with instructions not to fiddle with anything) :lol: Moon must be in the other (as he's been missing for weeks) :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nellie2 Posted August 27, 2003 Report Share Posted August 27, 2003 Don't forget, tonights the night for the closest look at Mars. It will be the brightest object in the sky apart from the moon. It is a bit cloudy where I am at the mo but hopefully it will have cleared up a bit by the time it goes dark. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artist Posted August 27, 2003 Report Share Posted August 27, 2003 Nice clear skies here in Dorset. Did see it the other night though. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark2 Posted August 27, 2003 Report Share Posted August 27, 2003 Hmmmph, cloudy here, has been every night since mars was mentioned :smart: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bvw Posted August 27, 2003 Report Share Posted August 27, 2003 Hmmmph, cloudy here, has been every night since mars was mentionedNo luck for us yet, overcast again :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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