Re: Mars this summer

I'm beginning to be convinced that this story is some prank by someone with way
too much time, since it only affects the amateur astronomy community, and would
not be of general interest to the general public. After all, some editing of
the important facts, like the year this pertains to, have been snipped out.

To get the record straight.

Mars closest approach, Oct 29-30, depending on your location.
Mars Opposition, November 6-7, again depending on your location.
Size of disk = 20 arc-seconds.
Season on Mars? Mid Summer for the southern contingent, a warm balmy 0 degrees
centigrade, until the dust storms blot out the Sun and freezes their patooties
off. ^_^
Constellation? Aries, quite a bit further north than it was in 2003.

Next time Mars is this large? 2018. However, at that time it will be almost as
far south as it can get, between Sagittarius and Capricorn, making it more
difficult to see for northern observers. On the plus side, the nights for
northern observers will be fairly warm.

For those that are interested, I'm running a three article series on this
Opposition in the Griffith Observer, the Griffith Observatory magazine, starting
in August.

--- Dave
--
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pinprick holes in a colorless sky
Let inspired figures of light pass by
The Mighty Light of ten thousand suns
Challenges infinity, and is soon gone

david.nakamoto@xxxxxxxxxxx


"Chris L Peterson" <clp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:ttjdb1ho03oslealk4qhgso0h4fqs1j8tr@xxxxxxxxxx
> On Mon, 20 Jun 2005 09:49:18 -0400, Chip <nospamcruzrdvr@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
>
>>I just received a forwarded message about Mars being"huge" this summer.
>>25 arc seconds wide. The message went on to say that it'll be as big as
>>the full moon naked eye...
>
> Mars was very close _two_ years ago. This story was put into circulation
> again last summer (which was ridiculous- Mars is only in opposition
> every other year), and again this summer, where it is merely inaccurate
> (Mars will be close again, but not as close as it was two years ago). I
> don't know who keeps dredging up this old story, but it's looking like
> we're now cursed to see it annually!
>
> _________________________________________________
>
> Chris L Peterson
> Cloudbait Observatory
> http://www.cloudbait.com


.

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