Mars - the Red Planet

[Mr.HotStuff]

just got this today in a mail and thought I would share it - I think it is quite interesting
>
> 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 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 12:30a.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 everyone!
> NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN.

[Italguido]

hmmm, ill have to remember the 27th of aug... but what country is going to get to see this? its going to be at its highest at 1230am... but for what time zone?

[Mr.HotStuff]

hmmm, ill have to remember the 27th of aug... but what country is going to get to see this? its going to be at its highest at 1230am... but for what time zone?


that message was sent from Holland so I assume it is European time - but I am sure we can check on the Net for better details

[Humpie]

Sorry, but I think this is an old story. When I googled I see
dates from 2003 so we are three years too late :106:

[D'Artagnan]

I remember seeing this already. It just looked like a big star.

Got that email around the time when it happened lol.

[Mr.T]

i think this is one of those letters going around the net for a long time. i catch it every couple of years or so.

[Italguido]

haha, damn emails

[BigDaddy_GFS]

Sorry, but I think this is an old story. When I googled I see
dates from 2003 so we are three years too late :106:

Yes, I think you're right. I got ribbed about this, because it fell on my birthday.:lol:

[supraman_2]

Mars bitches, gonna get some space rocks.

[Mr.HotStuff]

Sorry, but I think this is an old story. When I googled I see
dates from 2003 so we are three years too late :106:


well that sucks ass - I should really have looked at this more closely :106:

ah well :022:

[RAZORMAID]

I remember looking out for it 3 years ago and although it wasn't looking like a big red moon, I still got laid as a consolation :075:

[Mr.HotStuff]

I remember looking out for it 3 years ago and although it wasn't looking like a big red moon, I still got laid as a consolation :075:

well that was nice - at least you have something to remember from that day

more thanmost I am sure :053:

[Mr.HotStuff]

I remember looking out for it 3 years ago and although it wasn't looking like a big red moon, I still got laid as a consolation :075:

well that was nice - at least you have something to remember from that day

more than most I am sure :053:

GOT A DATABASE ERROR SAYING THREAD DOES NOT EXIST

SO posted it to make sure and see it is here twice now - and I cant delete it :032:

[footbeat]

read the book, its a good story