Astronomy question

[streamer23]

A casual friend told me today that because of the upcoming proximity of the Earth and Mars that a special event will soon be taking place.Apparently Mars will be the closest it has been to our planet for over five thousand years on approx. August 27th.The result of this will be that when viewing Mars in the nighttime sky it will appear to be the same size as a full moon.
I know there are several astronomy buffs on the forums and would like to hear confirmation or opinions on what I was told.If true,it is an event I would love to witness.

[AZstreamin]

Sorry it already happened.... 3 years ago Aug 27 2003 it has now reached Urban Legend status
Click the link below.. Snopes.com Great site for debunking urban legends and all of those chain emails that tell you to send to 10 friends.. click link to get the real story:

http://www.snopes.com/science/mars.asp

[Buttercup]

Total unadulterated B#!!$&!^....

Go to http://www.snopes.com/science/mars.asp to see this story. As an amateur astronomer i get more phone calls from people who hear about this, many from reputable resources like a local paper. It's all B.S.

[streamer23]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

Total unadulterated B#!!$&!^....

Go to http://www.snopes.com/science/mars.asp to see this story. As an amateur astronomer i get more phone calls from people who hear about this, many from reputable resources like a local paper. It's all B.S.

Thank you both for your responses.Pretty much what I thought.

[Excella CM]

What they didn't mention is that at the the time of apogee we were invaded by Martians intent on destroying world peace and environmental harmony-but they'll never get away with it!

[Stefrobrts]

Wow, I can't believe that one keeps coming around every year. And the worst part is that at it's closest, it was still just a slightly brighter speck than it usually is. I used a 10" scope to observe it, and I managed to pick out some details, but it would have been a lot easier if it had been the size of the full moon

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by Stefrobrts

Wow, I can't believe that one keeps coming around every year. And the worst part is that at it's closest, it was still just a slightly brighter speck than it usually is. I used a 10" scope to observe it, and I managed to pick out some details, but it would have been a lot easier if it had been the size of the full moon

Through a 20" Obsession I was able to see Vallis Marinaris. That was impressive! I put together a little ditty for out Astronomy Club. It is at http://astronomynv.org/mars/. BTW - more info if you want.

http://www.universetoday.com/2006/07...oon-in-august/

[dijer]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

Through a 20" Obsession I was able to see Vallis Marinaris. That was impressive! I put together a little ditty for out Astronomy Club. It is at http://astronomynv.org/mars/. BTW - more info if you want.

http://www.universetoday.com/2006/07...oon-in-august/

That's a great video clip buttercup. But does this shot remind anyone else of one of those p*ss*d off smilies?

http://www.universetoday.com/wp-cont...6-0727mars.jpg

[Stefrobrts]

Angry Mars seems somehow appropriate

Very cool video, Buttercup - awesome.

I found with a 10" SCT it was barely worth the trouble, but sitting looking at it for hours and just occasionally getting a startlingly clear view of it seemed to be worthwhile, at least I kept at it. Still, that video is more like what people hope they'll see through a telescope! Reality can be a little dissapointing!