Mars to Swing Close to Earth This Weekend

GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
edited October 2005 in Science & Tech
AP reports that Mars will be unusually close to earth this weekend, a perfect time for planet-watching.
LOS ANGELES - Mars is ready for another close-up. For the second time in nearly 60,000 years, the Red Planet will swing unusually close to Earth this weekend, appearing as a yellow twinkle in the night sky.

Mars' latest rendezvous will not match its record-breaking approach to Earth in 2003, when it hovered from 35 million miles away. But more skygazers this time around can glimpse the fourth rock from the sun because it will glow above the horizon.

"This is the best we're going to see Mars, so we should strike the iron while it is hot," said Kelly Beatty, executive editor of Sky & Telescope magazine.
Submitted by: Trogan_1000

Source: Yahoo!

Comments

  • RWBRWB Icrontian
    edited October 2005
    This is actually tempting enough for me to wait on buying a new MB and just buying a Telescope instead! Hrm....

    Should I or shouldn't I....
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited October 2005
    My personal fascination with astronomy was diminished somewhat after spending a few cold nights sitting out in the middle of nowhere trying to spot the latest "once in a lifetime" event, only to have the whole thing cheesed by unanticipated cloud cover.

    My advice is to get the MB and wait for the Hubble pics to be released. At least you'll stay warm. :vimp:
  • csimoncsimon Acadiana Icrontian
    edited October 2005
    Is that what I'm seeing in the lower southwest'ish sky? I don't have a telescope and it sure is bright. Not read though ...no that I can tell. Really cool! :thumbsup:
  • RWBRWB Icrontian
    edited October 2005
    Just got stuck outside while looking, I stepped on SOMETHING I think was furry and soft. I heard some rissling in the bushes too, but I didn't have any of the lights on becuase I wanted to see it better. My brother is in a deep sleep and i was out there for 30 minutes throwing rocks at his window. He heard me to! Just ignored it. :o

    Anyways, it's pretty bright... especially for being in a bright town or whatever.
  • TroganTrogan London, UK
    edited October 2005
    I was at my aunties house in Birmingham and we went outside to look for mars but it was too cloudy :(

    Oh well! Have to wait another 13 years, hopefully :)
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited October 2005
    Trogan_1000 wrote:
    I was at my aunties house in Birmingham and we went outside to look for mars but it was too cloudy :(

    Oh well! Have to wait another 13 years, hopefully :)
    Do that enough times and you'll be as old as me. :)

    'Cept I'll be about a hundred by then... :zombie:;D
  • drasnordrasnor Starship Operator Hawthorne, CA Icrontian
    edited October 2005
    I wouldn't get a telescope on a whim, the department store models are the equivalent of your bargain basement Dell in terms of killing your interest in the hobby. You buy a serious telescope at an astronomy or photography store; it won't come with any eyepieces and may not come with a tripod. But hey, most motherboards don't come with processors or RAM so don't be bummed out. Odds are there's an astronomy club near you, see if you can find them (they always have star parties anytime something like this occurs) and look through other people's scopes to see what you like.

    -drasnor :fold:
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited October 2005
    drasnor wrote:
    ...the department store models are the equivalent of your bargain basement Dell in terms of killing your interest in the hobby....
    You have put your finger on my diffculties - like a poker hand, go all in, or stay out.

    -drasnor :fold:
    Listen to the man! . :thumbsup:
  • botheredbothered Manchester UK
    edited October 2005
    Once you’ve seen one close encounter with a neighboring planet, you’ve seen em all
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