] Mars Spectacular....then and now

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-hello =)the year isn't posted in the article. this event actually occured august 27, 2003. here is a link for when it happened. awesome event and a very big sign.http://www.space.com/spacewatch/mars_preview_021108.htmlc.> wrote:> > > ----> > 05/31/05 20:56:55> Me Mars Spectacular> > Sent to me by a friend~~~ > > The Red Planet is about to become 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 am. 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!> > > > > > > >