The Mad Bull's Blog

August 15, 2005

Star Light, Star Bright

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, 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 3 a.m. 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.
NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN!

I received the above notice by email on July 27, 2005. Natty is pretty interested in things like this, asa matter of fact, a good telescope is one of the things thats fairly high on her wish-list still. She is into the stargazing thing bigtime though, and since I knew this, I mentioned it to her... There is more, as usual...

She said that she mentioned it to the DSS Doc as well, who is also interested in things of that nature, but at the time he didn't show much attention. Anyway, since I told her about it, we've been scanning the night skies somewhat and we had identified a star in the skies that did seem to be bigger than the rest and which was quite brilliant, and so we decided that this 'star' must be Mars.

Last night, Natty and I went to dinner at the home of the DSS Doc and Shoma (which was quite irie, by the way, t'was a pot roast and rice and peas, and Shoma did a wonderful job with it) and Natty and the DSS Doc had stepped outside to 'fumigate the place' (to smoke a couple of cigarettes). Since she was outside, Natty scanned the heavens looking for Mars. The DSS Doc's house faces a different direction from our house at home, so she had to look around for a bit until she found it. Eventually she did, and she decided to show it to the DSS Doc, as it seemed especially big and bright last night.

Shoma, Yolanda, who is Shoma's son's ex-girlfriend (very pretty girl too) and I were sitting in the living room, shooting the breeze when the DSS Doc came in all excited and called us outside to view Mars. He was telling us how bright it was, and how big! Of course, since I had seen it already, I chilled on the couch, and Shoma couldn't have cared less, but Yolanda and Shoma's daughter got up dutifully and followed the DSS Doc outside. The four of them stood outside stargasing in awe for a bit, chatting about Mars and so on, when suddenly, Mars started to move! Yessir! Mars began to descend slowly. The DSS Doc and Natty were quite surprised. The DSS Doc's daughter exclaimed "Its moving! It must be a U.S.O.!".

Then Mars began an even more strange movement! It banked right and moved behind a cloud! Everyone went silent for a second and then the DSS Doc said, "Tell me that Natty and I didn't get you all out here getting all excited over Cayman Airways coming in to land?!"

Like I mentioned earlier in passing, dinner was excellent! After that, we all sat around and we got caught up discussing the past, back to when Shoma, the DSS Doc and Natty were living in Ft. Lauderdale, when everybody was going overseas to school or going out on their own for the first time and partying extremely hard! Interesting conversation, a fun time was had by all, so much so that we left to go home quite late! I am pleased to say that we got to work early despite that!

So, how about you guys? Anybody been out looking for Mars?

Posted by Mad Bull at August 15, 2005 01:28 PM

Comments

Must admit I have not been out to look for it yet, but have borne the event in mind. Problem is the glow of the sodium vapour lights does muck up the view of the celestial night sky somewhat from Kingston. Nevertheless, as one who likes astronomy myself, I will see what I can prips tonight....and in the nighst to come.

On my next trip to States I hope to purchase me a telescope also. Actually, now that I think of it, you have ample time to go out and get me one in time for the 42nd anniversary of my birth on Sep. 10. next month!

Sounds like too much rass VX did drink up by some people last night still....Mars moving to rahtid!

Posted by: Dr. D. on August 15, 2005 06:20 PM

Wait...only jus now seeing that you have my birthday as an upcoming event! Respec!

Posted by: Dr. D. on August 15, 2005 08:16 PM

wow. there is a wonderful place here that has telescopes ligned about outside that you can zoom in and out of the sky with. i will certainly be taking a look.

Posted by: nena on August 15, 2005 10:33 PM

And after Dr D's birthday, mine is the next to be noted.

22 October

Next month I will start the countdown.

I not interested in stars. Couldnt tell the last time I look up inna di night sky.

Posted by: Yamfoot on August 15, 2005 10:34 PM

mars moved lol, oh well maye you will find the unmoving mars soon.

Posted by: jdid on August 15, 2005 11:02 PM

Mars moving is fall down funny.I have to look out since I very interested in the stars etc.

Posted by: kami on August 15, 2005 11:08 PM

Speaking on similar matters, did u guys know that they discovered a new planet the other day?

Posted by: b.art on August 16, 2005 12:43 AM

Hi Mad Bull-Interesting facts there.

Posted by: sunshine on August 16, 2005 08:09 AM

i heard about the new planet. they are also considering chaning one of the planets to just being a star. i can't remember which but will look it up for ya.

while we are on the b-day countdowns me got one dis saturday!!!

Posted by: nena on August 16, 2005 08:09 AM

This is an Internet hoax, this event actually happened in 2004. If you don't believe me, check with a local planetarium.

Posted by: Bob on August 19, 2005 09:56 AM

I am so looking forward to this event. I have a reminder in my email, at work, at home and in my cell phone. My only regret is that I may not be able to take pictures to capture the moment ... ah well ...

Posted by: CoolDestiny on August 20, 2005 05:01 PM