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Mars

Discussion in 'Whatnots' started by Arahar, Aug 21, 2005.

  1. Arahar

    Arahar Hmm, it's a dwarf. Distinguished Member ★ SPS Account Holder

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    Interesting article, I think I'll be out taking pictures.

    MARS SPECTACULAR!

    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.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 15, 2012
    Arahar, Aug 21, 2005
    #1
  2. Nakia

    Nakia The night is mine Distinguished Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    Thanks, Arahar. I missed this and now know what to do at midnight. I will definitely tear myself away from the comp to take a look. :wave:
     
    Nakia, Aug 21, 2005
    #2
  3. Kitrax

    Kitrax Pantaloons are supposed to go where!?!?

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    Hmmm...maybe I can re-adjust my telescope from looking down at my neighbor's apartment and up at the sky for a night. :rolleyes:

    If it only takes a 70 power lense to see it pretty good, I wish I had one of those 100 power telescopes that have a way to hook up a digital cameral. :thumb: :rolling:
     
    Kitrax, Aug 21, 2005
    #3

  4. Lynadin Gems: 11/31
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    Hmm apparently this is some sort of hoax... :(
    This article states that the same thing happened two years ago :eek: .
    But don't worry... It also says
    So get a good look :)
     
    Lynadin, Aug 21, 2005
    #4
  5. Sir Belisarius

    Sir Belisarius Viconia's Boy Toy Distinguished Member ★ SPS Account Holder

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    I was going to say...This actually took place in the summer of 2003. I remember watching it faitrly often. The other thing to remember is to watch out for increased alien activity. They are closer now, after all! ;) :lol: :grin: :spin: :roll: :borg:
     
    Sir Belisarius, Aug 21, 2005
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  6. Bahir the Red Gems: 18/31
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    Aliens come from the moon, not mars, you know...
     
    Bahir the Red, Aug 21, 2005
    #6
  7. Nakia

    Nakia The night is mine Distinguished Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    Oh pshah, Lynadin. According to that article I have to wait until October. :sosad:

    :alien: come from a far distant galaxy.
     
    Nakia, Aug 21, 2005
    #7
  8. Harbourboy

    Harbourboy Take thy form from off my door! Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    How can Mars look as large as the full moon? That's ridiculous.

    And the chances of anything coming from Mars are a million to one . . . . . . .
     
    Harbourboy, Aug 21, 2005
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  9. Thor Gems: 10/31
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    Agreed. if mars were to be close enough to be as big as the moon, the next thing happening would be mars crashing down on us. (and that would be rather unpleasant might i add :rolleyes: )

    And the chances of finding "life" on mars ain't that low really, finding "intelligent life" though..
     
    Thor, Aug 22, 2005
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  10. Blog Gems: 23/31
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    So Arahar's next post here will be: "Made you look!" :D

    Yeah, I remember looking for Mars a few years ago. I saw a bright, slightly reddish spot in the sky, clearly bigger than the stars. Joy
     
    Blog, Aug 22, 2005
    #10
  11. Arahar

    Arahar Hmm, it's a dwarf. Distinguished Member ★ SPS Account Holder

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    I seem to remember that the article for 2 years ago was the moon being extremely close to earth. It was about 25% bigger than normal and around 75% brighter.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 15, 2012
    Arahar, Aug 22, 2005
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  12. Aikanaro Gems: 31/31
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    As brilliant as it would be for Mars to be close enough to see it as large as the full moon ... well, it sounds kinda apocalyptic :p
     
    Aikanaro, Aug 22, 2005
    #12
  13. Morgoth

    Morgoth La lune ne garde aucune rancune Veteran

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    From a Calvin and Hobbes comic:
    Sometimes I think that the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us. :D
     
    Morgoth, Aug 22, 2005
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  14. Thor Gems: 10/31
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    *Laughs* Agreed, morgoth!

    btw, where on the sky is mars actually?
     
    Thor, Aug 22, 2005
    #14
  15. Blackthorne TA

    Blackthorne TA Master in his Own Mind Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    It's funny how these things get recycled over and over again as the years go by.
     
    Blackthorne TA, Aug 22, 2005
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  16. Jaguar Gems: 27/31
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    Well...

    I found this little bit of info on this Mars website. I'm not quite sure I understand what it means though.
     
    Jaguar, Aug 22, 2005
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  17. Sir Belisarius

    Sir Belisarius Viconia's Boy Toy Distinguished Member ★ SPS Account Holder

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    It's funny how these things get recycled over and over again as the years go by. ;)
     
    Sir Belisarius, Aug 23, 2005
    #17
  18. Blackthorne TA

    Blackthorne TA Master in his Own Mind Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    Yeah!

    But wait! Didn't you hear that Mars is going to be as big as the Moon this month?! Better go out and see it so you can tell your grandkids! :lol:
     
    Blackthorne TA, Aug 23, 2005
    #18
  19. T2Bruno

    T2Bruno The only source of knowledge is experience Distinguished Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    Everyone should note the comment:

    (edited for ease in reading).

    For those of us who do NOT have a 75-power magnification telescope, Mars will still be a small dot in the sky. Granted, this will be October now instead of August.

    I didn't notice much difference two years ago looking up from my hot tub at night (maybe I should have worn my glasses).
     
    T2Bruno, Aug 23, 2005
    #19
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