2007-08-23 12:45:31 · 8 answers · asked by GARRY A 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Dec 18, 2007 :
Closest approach of Mars and Earth (0.589 AU = 88.42 million km). Apparent diameter of Mars is 15.88".
The closest Mars can ever get to the Earth, on an exceptional year, is 55 million km. So this year's closest approach is not even a good one.
2007-08-23 12:53:49 · answer #1 · answered by Vincent G 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
While it's not quite a real "War of the Worlds," the planet Mars is about to get closer to Earth than ever before.
The premise of the movie is that during a cycle when Mars is the closest to Earth, the Martians decide it is time to invade this planet.
In real life, the Red Planet is going to be the closest to earth in recorded history. Earth is catching up with Mars in a close encounter.
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 at 60,000 years before it happens again.
The encounter will culminate on Aug. 27, when Mars comes to within 34,649,589 miles of the 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 arch seconds wide, at a modest 75-power magnification.
Mars will look as bright as the full moon to the naked eye and will be easy to spot. At the beginning of August it will rise in the east at 10 p.m. and reach it's 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 12:30 a.m.
Children of all ages will enjoy watching at the beginning of August to see Mars grow progressively brighter and brighter throughout the month.
No one alive today will ever see this again.
2007-08-26 16:36:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mars is at opposition on December 24th 2007, and at the closest it gets this year on December18th, when it will be 55 million miles away from us. The last two oppositions were closer than that, about 43 million miles on Octpber 30th 2005 and 34.65 million miles on August 27th 2003.
Naturally as it is furthjer away this year, it won'y be as bright as it was in 2003 (when it peaked at -2.9 magnitude, slightly brighter than Jupiter, though not as bright as Venus.) This Christmas it will be a disappointing -1.65, only marginally brighter than Sirius.
Despite all the nonsense flying around the internet about August 27th and two moons, Mars will; be 105 million miles away on 27th August and as dim as +0.7, marginally brighter than Aldebaran, the brightest star in Taurus, to which it will look close.
2007-08-24 10:45:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
About 55 million miles. (Dec 2007)
2007-08-23 20:02:52 · answer #4 · answered by Polo 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
About 0.5 AU (1/2 of 93,000,000 miles), give or take.
At that distance it will still look like a little reddish star in the night sky.
.
2007-08-23 19:51:06 · answer #5 · answered by tlbs101 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
In December this year, it will be about 35 million miles (the closest it ever gets). This happens about every 780 Earth days.
2007-08-23 22:10:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/21aug_hurtlingtomars.htm
2007-08-23 21:27:46 · answer #7 · answered by B. 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
longer than you can emagine
2007-08-23 19:57:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋