Mars, as close as ever... did you know?

[donly1ace]

Read something interesting today. Mars will be making its closest approach to Earth in 60,000 years.

If you look wander your eyes in the sky at 05:51 AM EDT on August 27th, 2003, you will witness something that has not happened since September 12th, 57617 B.C.! (scientific estimate)

Mars will be very visible all throughout the month of August. Some of you may have telescopes: great occasion to take them out!

If you'd like to read the article in its entirety go to:

http://edition.cnn.com/2003/TECH/space/08/13/mars.close.up.ap/index.html

Enjoy!

 

[Stuman]

It has been visible for a couple of weeks here in TN. This is a very amazing thing to me. I have never been able to see other planets in our solar system with the naked eye until now! You guys should check it out. It is BY FAR the brightest object in the sky (besides the moon of course). Cyra1, the time you listed is the exact time that Mars will be closest to Earth, I think. But, it has been CLEARLY visible every night. Last week about midnight I saw it in the southern sky. You can't miss it. You will know it because it is much brighter than the stars and it has a slight red tint to it. Very cool. I dig this kind of stuff...

Edit - I think Mars is visible in the south eastern sky right now and will be visible in the eastern sky on the night of its closest approach. Anyone else been out to see it? Amazing...

Stuman

 

[THE KOD]

I went out one night last week and I will be damned I seen Mars.

It was very bright. I think the moon was almost full that night. Its pretty cool when you think about it.


KOD

 

[donly1ace]

It's funny... I'm the one that brings it up but I haven't seen it yet! I'll be checking it out tonight... just hope the sky is clear.

Stuman - You're right, it is visible right now and very distinguishable from other stars in the sky.

 

[gecko]

At first glance it doesn't look like much, but it IS one bright mutha! I've been noticing it for the last week. A few nights ago, my girl and I were sitting on the beach looking eastward, and there it was....the full moon, and the brightest looking star to its lower left. Well, as it turns out it's Mars, a reddish orangey tint to it like ya said. Very cool indeed.

If your local museum/planetarium is having a viewing on 8/27 (like mine), go check it out.