[South Florida DX Association] Re: MARS SPECTACULAR!

[NPAlex at aol.com]

Something to put on your calendar as noted below!
Norm W4QN
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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 protrudes 
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 eas t 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. NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER 
SEE THIS AGAIN