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.
Yea I went out and looked too. It was bigger than all the stars. And was the second brightest thing next to the moon and right beside the moon. But it was no where near the size of the moon. I dunno how it will get so close to look the same size as the moon by Saturday.
I’ll be taking a peak at it thro my telescope on the weekend. Please let it be clear! If you have a good telescope you should get a great view of the polar ice caps. I don’t know at what angle mars is to us right now though.
Apparently he had a 8" Dob, then sold it for a 6" Refractor, then sold that
for an 8" Schmidt with all the CCD trinkets and shit… And thats’ what he
has now I think in some giant trunk in our basement.
I don’t know if he’s heading to Albion hills for all this or not…
Apparently he had a 8" Dob, then sold it for a 6" Refractor, then sold that
for an 8" Schmidt with all the CCD trinkets and shit… And thats’ what he
has now I think in some giant trunk in our basement.
I don’t know if he’s heading to Albion hills for all this or not…
Nerd talk end.[/quote]
Yeah I ussually head up with the Efton Science crew during the summers. Didn’t have a chance this summer tho. Which club does he belong to?
He made a good choice on the Schmidth, best out there. And he got the CCD eh. I’m jelous now :lol:
