2006-07-30 15:54:38 · 8 answers · asked by human_loser 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Is this the "Mars is About to Become Spectacular!" email that is being sent around? Still? It is a hoax and the details can be seen at http://www.snopes.com/science/mars.asp
We seem to have an intense need to feel special, exclusive or have rare experiences that will somehow mark us as unique or privileged, such as seeing Mars as big as a full moon. Come on...think...if this were actually to happen:
a. it would not have been the first time, since planetery events are generally cyclical in nature and we would have ample records from previous civilizations
b. if this were a one time only event, then the tidal forces generated by such a deeply close approach would threaten all life on this planet
In August 2003, Mars did, indeed, come close to Earth...to within 55 million kilometres or so...and it appeared as a very bright orange-pink dot of light in the nighttime skies. It will never appear much brighter than that and certainly not much bigger...
2006-07-31 08:35:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes I have... you can check it out at this site.
http://www.publicaffairs.ubc.ca/media/releases/2003/mr-03-75.html
You can also google it and see what you come up with.
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.
There is some thought that this might only be a farce as it apparently happened back in Aug. 2003 with mars appearing as large as the moon?
Best way to find out is watch the skies around Aug. 27th *wink*
2006-07-30 18:35:42 · answer #2 · answered by near_nefarious 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the astronomy forum, about three times a day. It's a hoax; Mars made its closest pass in recorded history in August 2003. Its most recent opposition was October of 2005; the next one is December 2007.
2006-07-30 18:30:14 · answer #3 · answered by injanier 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yup i have. sunday, August 27, 2006: Planet Mars comes within 34.65M miles of Earth. It will look like The Earth has 2 Moons. The next time Mars may come like this close only in 2287.
2006-07-30 15:57:29 · answer #4 · answered by chocoholic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah, its an urban legend that gets passed around the internet right before august Every Year.
I think the hoax started in the 90's but I'm not certain on the year.
It's not true, it just makes you feel stupid for having looked for mars being so big and then discovered it to be a hoax from a long time ago.
2006-07-30 16:02:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's all over the Internet. BUT... this is in error. The event happened in Aug., 2003.
2006-07-31 06:02:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can see it now, right after sunset in the west.
2006-07-30 16:58:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah I got an e-mail on that last week. Not sure if it is true or not.
2006-07-30 15:58:28 · answer #8 · answered by Rob 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋