Did anyone know about this????????????????This was sent to me a month ago.?

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.

If you already knew, did you get to see it????????? I just think it is amazing news! If it was for real. Pls. tell me!!!!!!!!!!!!!

shopaholic2006-08-29T17:02:29Z

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Some people say it's a hoax. Didnt catch it. Neither was it telecast in the news. So yeah, probably it's a hoax.

But did you know Pluto is no longer a planet? Weird.

Humans choosing what is planet and what is not. Like they were the ones who made it.

Chug-a-Lug2006-08-30T01:01:29Z

In >>August, 2006<<, the closest Mars will come to Earth is 232,392,825.9 miles (August 1st). >>THREE

YEARS AGO<< Mars came within 34,646,418 miles of Earth on August 28, 2003, the closest it's been in

the last 50,000 years. Regardless of what you've been told, it was NOT as large as the full moon.

http://www.space.com/spacewatch/mars_preview_021108.html
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/mars/mars_orbit.html

poormigalito2006-08-30T00:30:49Z

This is GREAT! - go to www.space.com and search Mars close to Earth - or whatever, and you will get a great explanation about the relationship between the two planets, along with some images and historic "closeness".

If you enjoy this site, please let me know - If you have a strong interest in interest in the scientific explanations of "the heavenly bodies", I think you will spend a lot of time at this site! -- -- Enjoy.

Scott A2006-08-29T23:57:29Z

Hoax email when it was new in August 2003....this even did happen in 2003 just not as large as the email elludes to...right now Mars is about as far away from us as it gets

Shanshan2006-08-30T06:27:53Z

I did see it, and it was really cool, three years ago. It appeared as a very bright star with a hazy reddish glow. I got a particularly good view from a friend's telescope. I'm sorry you missed it.

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