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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 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 12:30 .am. 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.
Loren Moore |
