The following info was sent to me as a powerpoint presentation recently and I thought I would share the info here for any who are interested.
Earth is catching up with Mars in an encounter that will culminate in the closest approach in recorded history. The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287.
The encounter will culminate on August 27th, when Mars comes to within 34,649,589 miles of earth and next to the moon will be the brightest object in the night sky.
At a modest 75-power modification 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 p.m. and reach its azimuth at about 3 a.m.
By the end of August when the two planets are the closest, Mars will rise at nightfall & reach its highest point in the sky at 12:30 a.m.
So, watch Mars grow progressively brighter and brighter throughout the month.
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Hopefully the weather will co-operate. It seems like a lot of times we get thwarted from seeing events by clouds.
Musings from FL zone 10
1 comment:
I didn't know Mars was going to be so close. I will have to look for it.
Venus is so beautiful in the winter sky.
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