Anybody see Mars yet?

[firstmickey]

I read this somewhere and thought I would share:

"Never again in your lifetime, will the Red Planet be so spectacular. This month and next, Earth is catching up with Mars, 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.

The encounter will culminate on August 27th when Mars comes to within 34,649,589 miles 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 he naked eye.

Mars will be easy to spot. At the beginning of August Mars will rise in the east at 10 p.m. and reach its azimuth at about 3 a.m. But 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 12:30 a.m. That's pretty convenient when it comes to seeing something that no human 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 with your children and grandchildren. No one alive today will ever see this again"

We actually have been able to see it already. It is a bright orange dot in the sky.

Of course, I have already landed on Mars so I knew what it looked like!!!! lol

 

[Pam]

My son was backpacking in New Mexico from July 31-August 11 and when he returned he commented that he saw Mars several times!

 

[Wagamama]

i saw it! i saw it!!!

 

[iluvdisney]

It's been up there every night for a few weeks - we finally pulled out the telescope last night to take a look.

 

[Gette88]

I want to and keep forgetting. I'll have to write myself a note and put it on the fridge.

 

[MosMom]

Every night when I go out to walk the dog I see it (barring clouds)...it isn't quite that big here yet though. I'd love to get a telescope and see it close up.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

I thought I saw it this morning, around 4am. I saw the moon above the rowhouse next to me, through an old glass window. I couldn't tell for certain if it was a reflection of the moon or in fact Mars. It was to the right (south) of the moon. It looked like a moon. I want to get my video camera and still camera ready as we draw closer to the best night for viewing Mars.

 

[Princess_Aurora]

I keep meaning to go out and look also. In fact, the other night I was about to go out there and look and got busy and forgot but when I went to sleep I actually dreamed about looking at it...strange huh?

 

[Beauty]

We've seen it every night too, its so so bright! They say August 27th is when it will be the biggest and brightest. Its really cool.

 

[Mishetta]

I have looked a few nights but am unable to see it. Darn! I want to see it!!

Anyone see any little green men on it??

 

[firstmickey]

Didn't see little green men, but I did see Gary Sinise after landing on it!

 

[ASFCurly]

I have seen it.

 

[Lisa L from MI]

That star.......(well, actually mars)....has alot of signifigance (sp)....to me and my MIL (gramma on these boards)....I will post that later when I have ALOT of time.......just to say......FIL is a real A@@-h!@!@............and I will update you guys soon...

As the star situation goes.....that is what my MIL and I would look at EVERY night....saying it was "our star"....now, she lives in PA.....but we cam still see the same star.....I think I may just call her tonight too!!!!

BTW, send some PD her way........she needs it..........thanks!!!!!!!

thanks!!!!!!!!

Lisa

 

[CathyCanada]

I've seen it a couple of times when taking Lola out at odd hours of the night! It is very cool!
CC

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Originally posted by iNTeNSeBLue98
I thought I saw it this morning, around 4am. I saw the moon above the rowhouse next to me, through an old glass window. I couldn't tell for certain if it was a reflection of the moon or in fact Mars. It was to the right (south) of the moon. It looked like a moon. I want to get my video camera and still camera ready as we draw closer to the best night for viewing Mars.

5:30am 8/22. Okay that old glas window played a mean and nasty trick on my sleepy eyes. I walked outside this morning to learn that there was only one moon in the sky. My view of the souther sky is obstructed by a tree, when standing in front of my house. although I'm near the top of a hill, the roof tops are still too high and block my view as well. Tonight, barring the thuinderstorms move out by then, I'm going to take a short drive to The Pagoda (local lookout) to see what's in the night's sky. If it's too cloudy I'll have to wait until Saturday or any night between then and the 27th.

 

[figmentvi]

It's VERY bright here. I guess because we're closer to the equator (?).

DH and I were out to dinner last week at a restaurant that has tables right on the beach. Tiki torches were set up and lit, up and down the beach. It was a full moon and Mars was very bright just below it. Wow......was that romantic.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Yep, like a super bright star off in the southeast night sky. Very pretty.

 

[HoneyPooh]

Not yet, but the local astronomy club is having a sky watch tonight and tomorrow night right behind my house, so we'll stroll over and use one of their scopes.

 

[Sonya]

Every night when I go out to water my plants I can see it. It is very bright!