Has everyone been checking out Mars?
#17698 - 08/18/03 06:34 PM
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shawneric
Reged: 01/30/03
Posts: 1738
Loc: Oregon
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Pretty spectacular planet viewing. The closest the planet has been in 57,000 years. 
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My website on IBS is www.ibshealth.com
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I live in the south, and unfortunately it has rained practically everyday for the past few months, so that means cloudy skies. It is actually *pouring* rain right now. I've heard about how great the view of Mars is and wish I could see it.
Do you know how long it will be close to earth? I am going to the west coast on Saturday and will be there for 2 weeks, and if Mars is still in this great position I will have a chance to see it. We are going camping too, so that means minimal light polution .
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Nicole
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
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This was posted in another forum I visit often.
MARK AUGUST 27th ON YOUR CALENDAR
MARS WILL APPEAR AS BIG AS THE MOON!
FIRST TIME IN AT LEAST 5,000 YEARS!
Never again in your lifetime will the Red Planet be so spectacular!
This month and next, 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.
On August 27, Mars will come 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.
At the beginning of August, Mars will rise in the east at 10 p.m. and reach its azimuth at about 3 a.m. But 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. So mark your calendar at the beginning of August to see Mars grow
progressively brighter and brighter throughout the month.
Share with your friends, children and grandchildren, etc.
No one alive today will ever see this again!
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/07aug_southpole.htm
http://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/watchtheskies/18jun_approachingmars.html
http://science.nasa.gov/default.htm
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Thanks for the info Torbetta!! Hopefully it isn't rainint next Wednesday!
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I just hope I remember that date. I am homeschooling the girls this year so I want to make sure we see it. We kind of saw it last Thursday with the power outage. Madeline is at that age where she is fasinated by all she is learning. My father has offered us his telescope to use but it doesn't sound like we will need it next week.
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Torbetta, if you use the telescope, it should be the size of the full moon, using at least 75 power.
By January we should have two rovers about to land on it also.
Torbetta, thanks for the links.
Also this is a good link for it and for star gazing and there is some great info on mars right now there.
http://www.jackstargazer.com/
As jack would say "keep Looking up"
The Mars show will run into September, just fyi, then start retreating.
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My website on IBS is www.ibshealth.com
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Wow! You are a wealth of astronomical knowledge!! Thanks for all the info. Its a nice clear evening in WNY so I will try to see what things look like tonight.
Andie
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Thanks Andie, always been interested in astronomy and have studied it for almost twenty years now.
This is also an excellent site.
http://www.space.com/
Just fyi
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My website on IBS is www.ibshealth.com
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Ahh, the benefits of living in the country (or close enough to being called country) Really beautiful- I was amazed at how bright it really is. I can only view it through my own eyes because I have no telescope or even binoculars! All the same, quite incredible.
Sarah
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Ok I confess, Shawn... I did see it one evening when I stayed up late... 
Pretty cool.
Did you see Hayley's Comet back in the 80's?
Evie
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I live in the city...these darn street lights,but am goin home to my parent friday,they live in the country ,they have seen it the last few nights,said it was amazing,so am hoping i'll get a chance to see it for myself,In our UK news this morning,they said,10.51am,will be a good time to see it today?!!
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Morven
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Have checked out these websites! Am at work and needless to say little work is being done,as i am fasinated by this,always have been.Am also not meant to be online,but am living dangerously!! 10.51am in uk today is meant to be a good time to see mars in daylight!An hour to go!
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Morven
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Yes, today it makes its closest approach to earth.
Morven , here is another good site for you.
http://mars.sgi.com/mgs/
I love checking out the various close up pictures of the planet.
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My website on IBS is www.ibshealth.com
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Yes -- my husband pointed it out to me the other night, and now when my cranky colon wakes me up, I take a peak out the southern windows. It's not as cool as the last comet, but it's still pretty neat!
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I went out and checked it out on its closest approach day and there were two wonderful shooting stars that went past it, one with a huge wide tail. Pretty cool.
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My website on IBS is www.ibshealth.com
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The hubble took pictures.
http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/2003/22/
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My website on IBS is www.ibshealth.com
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