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  1. In Memory of LAJ_FETT: Please share your remembrances and condolences HERE

Astronomical event - Mars

Discussion in 'Denver, CO' started by Taeriel, Jul 31, 2003.

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  1. Taeriel

    Taeriel Jedi Grand Master star 5

    Registered:
    Feb 9, 2003
    Forwarded to me by my dad:

    CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH MARS

    Never again in your lifetime will the Red Planet be so spectacular. This month and next Earth is catching up with Mars, 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. The encounter will culminate on August 27th when Mars comes to within 34,649,589 miles 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 Mars will rise in the east at 10 p.m. and reach its azimuth at about 3 a.m. But 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 12:30 a.m. That's pretty convenient when it comes to seeing something that no human 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 with your children and grandchildren. No one alive today will ever see this again.
     
    Taeriel, Jul 31, 2003
    #1
  2. PtrsonsZOO

    PtrsonsZOO Jedi Grand Master star 7

    Registered:
    Jul 30, 2001
    And to think.... We'll be out of civilization this weekend..... Maybe we'll catch a glimpse of it. :D I don't have a telescope, but there will be 3 pairs of binocs in the camper :)
     
    PtrsonsZOO, Jul 31, 2003
    #2
  3. Sith_Slayer

    Sith_Slayer Jedi Master star 6

    Registered:
    Apr 9, 2002
    Whoa...that's weird...I was just reading about Mars this morning.
     
    Sith_Slayer, Jul 31, 2003
    #3
  4. SITH__CHICK

    SITH__CHICK Former RMFF CR star 7

    Registered:
    Mar 25, 2002
    That is so cool, looks like I won't being go to bed early for the entire month of Aug :D
     
    SITH__CHICK, Jul 31, 2003
    #4
  5. darth_hair

    darth_hair Jedi Master star 5

    Registered:
    May 8, 2001
    Use a pair of binoculars to look just above Mars for a faint but vividly green "star": That is Uranus



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    darth_hair, Jul 31, 2003
    #5
  6. Sith_Slayer

    Sith_Slayer Jedi Master star 6

    Registered:
    Apr 9, 2002
    I figured somebody would get a kick out of that little tidbit...
     
    Sith_Slayer, Jul 31, 2003
    #6
  7. SITH__CHICK

    SITH__CHICK Former RMFF CR star 7

    Registered:
    Mar 25, 2002
    And I'm sure you thought it would be Jeff ;)
     
    SITH__CHICK, Jul 31, 2003
    #7
  8. skywalker325

    skywalker325 Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 16, 2002
    Oooh I read about this too. From SW Idaho, there are lots of places to go to view it, and I'm very excited. Are there places in Denver to get away from the lights and find a good viewing location?
     
    skywalker325, Jul 31, 2003
    #8
  9. JuniperSky

    JuniperSky Jedi Youngling star 2

    Registered:
    Jul 4, 2003
    The foothills? Down here in the western slopes would be good, excpt for the fact that that cloud cover seems to be the order... lots of rain though...
     
    JuniperSky, Jul 31, 2003
    #9
  10. sideshow212

    sideshow212 Former RSA star 4 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Feb 3, 2002
    very cool! i think i might borrow this for teh PFF to see... :D
     
    sideshow212, Jul 31, 2003
    #10
  11. StarBlazer

    StarBlazer Jedi Padawan star 4

    Registered:
    Dec 2, 2001
    The next time Mars will get this close is on my 300th b-day! ;) :D


    *SB*
     
    StarBlazer, Jul 31, 2003
    #11
  12. darth_hair

    darth_hair Jedi Master star 5

    Registered:
    May 8, 2001
    you will be old
     
    darth_hair, Jul 31, 2003
    #12
  13. chunk_the_jawa

    chunk_the_jawa Jedi Knight star 5

    Registered:
    Feb 8, 2002
    wow not that anybody would remeber but august 27th happens to be my birthday. how cool is that. I'll have to definatly check this out.
     
    chunk_the_jawa, Aug 1, 2003
    #13
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