[GreenKeys] OFF TOPIC: MARS SPECTACULAR IN AUGUST

[Don Robert House]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: WRFLO at aol.com
> Date: June 7, 2005 4:48:15 PM CDT
> To: undisclosed-recipients:;
> Subject: MARS SPECTACULAR
>
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>               MARS 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.  
>
>   
> NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN!