Don't Miss Out on An Awe Inspiring Event in the Universe .
Mars
Spectacular 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, nieces and nephews. NO
ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN
