The Red Planet is about to be spectacular

[brnidokiegurl 0]

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 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

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I suspect the Martians will use this opportunity to invade.

[brnidokiegurl 0]

word on the street was, they were asking for your address!!!

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I think they live next door.

[brnidokiegurl 0]

then RUN Forrest run

[almaty 19]

I suspect the Martians will use this opportunity to invade.

damn, just what we don't need..more illegal aliens...

[Jasman0717 9]

Cool! I wonder if Fred (Eric) is excited, he is from Mars you know

[aussiewench 9]

I suspect the Martians will use this opportunity to invade.

damn, just what we don't need..more illegal aliens...

LOL

[brnidokiegurl 0]

[tweety 1]

I suspect the Martians will use this opportunity to invade.

damn, just what we don't need..more illegal aliens...

don't worry the current admin will make sure they all get naturalized in no time.... lol

[meauxna 15]

I think they live next door.

We actually call our next door neighbors The Martians. They only do their yardwork after dark. No one sees them in the daylight.

PS: I'm a killjoy.. this story is a hoax/recycle.

http://www.snopes.com/science/mars.asp

something *is* going to happen with in in December tho.

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

I think they live next door.

We actually call our next door neighbors The Martians. They only do their yardwork after dark. No one sees them in the daylight.

PS: I'm a killjoy.. this story is a hoax/recycle.

http://www.snopes.com/science/mars.asp

something *is* going to happen with in in December tho.

i was waiting for someone to notice that

[brnidokiegurl 0]

dont shoot the messenger i just got it as an e-mail

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

dont shoot the messenger i just got it as an e-mail

lol i got that same email from my dad months ago. had to tell him it was correct but about 3-4 years outta date

[brnidokiegurl 0]

Yea i know it was your dad told me to do it to see if you still remembered