Mars
don't know if this is true, but if it is, that's pretty nifty.
~Mari
>Subject: Mars-Once Every 60.000 years Time View
>
>
>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
~Mari
>Subject: Mars-Once Every 60.000 years Time View
>
>
>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