P.P.S. BUMMER!!! While the Meteor shower still stands as true prediction, thanks to Bret my eyes were open on urban myth. Too bad, I was looking forward to it:( I was pranked! Sorry, guys...I should stick with writing about running. But it did happen in 2003!
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 modest75-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 ..
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.
And that is not IT!!! During my trip to CA I should be able to witness a Meteor Shower!!! What treats this summer nights!
p.s. Badwater's awesome winner Lisa Bliss is still collecting donations for Team ST. Lukes to meet her goal, please read her words and consider to add a few bucks to the cause.
A Mountain Soul
14 comments:
Spectacular indeed! Now if only the deer flies would go away...
Coolness, Olga! Thanks for bringing it to our attention!!
NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN!
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Huh 2287' isn't that far away...I been taking my vitamins & running ...geesh why so negative :-)
Thanks for sharing, it is pretty cool!
Awesome, learned something new today! Thanks.
this actually happened in 2003
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/mars-earth-close.html
Though it was not quite as spectacular as the notices reads. Mars WAS very visible to the naked eye back in 2003 but I don't recall it being as big as the moon in the sky.
Thank you for sending this...I am so excited to see it in all of it's glory!!
meredith
Thanks so much for posting that Olga!
Hey no admiring Meteor showers while running Cool 12hr! :)
WS last year I stopped, turned off my lights and enjoyed the stars in silence for a minute or so. That was nice.
During my run at CCC100M in 03 Mars showed up as we climbed to mile 62 aid station. It was really cool....of course not a great as this will be but still awesome. Have fun admiring it while doing the sport you love!
Cool stuff Olga, you're a pretty brainy girl!
Well you'll just have to stay up late 2 nights in a row to see the meteor shower! : )
I'll mark my calendar. I hope to check out both events.
skymaps.com allows you to down load a map of the evening sky for free. In addition to helping you find the constellations it also lists the major astrological events that will take place in the month of August. They include the Perseid Meteor Shower, a total eclipse of the moon, and where to find Jupiter. Since I run at night I often down load a map and take it with me. Makes looking at the sky more enjoyable when you have several miles to run.
Thanks for the heads up, Olga, and nice blog!
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