Is it true that we will be ableto see mars "up close" this august?

Question

I received an email from a friend that basically said that mars rotation around the sun would bring the red planet close enough to the earth to be viewable in the month of august.....Supposedly this is an event that only happens roughly every 60,000 years ...does anyone know whether is any truth to this or if its just the result of somegeeks over reacting imagination? If its true its something i personally would like to see.....let me know!!!

Answer 1

In August, 2006, the closest Mars will come to Earth is 232,392,825.9 miles (August 1st). THREE YEARS AGO Mars came within 34,646,418 miles of Earth on August 28, 2003, the closest it's been in the last 50,000 years. Regardless of what you've been told, it was NOT as large as the full moon.

http://www.space.com/spacewatch/mars_preview_021108.html
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/mars/mars_orbit.html

Answer 2

Mars


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

Answer 3

Very bravely written numbers but it was the closest in 2003 and actually let's hope we don't see it as full moon or we'll then meet it face to face and it will crash into earth(attracted by the gravity and also lead by its own gravity). And even if it was the closest this year you still won't be able to see it with your eyes(without telescope). That's because it's in the red sector of the light and is too far away to reflect enough sun light to see it.

Answer 4

It gets tiring telling everyone over and over the same answer.

How about this?: Believe whatever you want about it, but go outside at night and observe the sky. Scan the heavens with a pair of binoculars, the Milky Way is truely majestic this time of year.

You never know what you might see.

Answer 5

You're the fourth person in the last 24 hours to post this question here. No, it's a hoax, based on what happened in 2003.

Answer 6

actually a few years ago it was hte closest its ever been, this year its gonna be close but stilll about 60 thousand miles further.

Answer 7

i heard that mars comes its closest to earth once every two years.

Answer 8

yup its the closest..... u will see two moons on that day

Answer 9

Yes, you dont want to miss it!