Originally posted by browniebaobao:
Got this from email..
Even if you are not into astrology,
since this event can be viewed with naked eyes, no need for
high-tech binoculars, look out for it come Aug, especially after
our National Day fireworks.
Mars is going to be a second moon of earth for a day.
NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN.
The Red Planet (MARS) 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. By August 27, 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
pm 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 am.
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.
thot dat encounter occurred in 2003?
