whats the real scoop
2007-08-23 14:14:05 · 10 answers · asked by mike c 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Read this from NASA:
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/21aug_hurtlingtomars.htm
2007-08-23 14:26:40 · answer #1 · answered by B. 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The real scoop is that Mars never looks any bigger than a bright star. That false story originated in 2003 when Mars came unusually close to Earth in August. But even in 2003 it did not look like a 2nd Moon. It never does that. This year, Mars will not come nearly as close as it did in 2003, and it will be in winter, not August.
2007-08-23 22:42:12 · answer #2 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The real scoop is all those websites and emails are completely wrong, totally incorrect, completely impossible.
Mars never gets closer than 35 million miles, so its always no more than a bright star in our sky.
Those sites are all quoting a totally wrong story that was started in 2003 (but of course they don't include the year anywhere so anyone that doesn't know astronomy or doesn't do their own research will be led to believe its this year).
By the way, do any of those sites even mention the total lunar eclipse on August 28?
2007-08-23 21:55:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is no deal.
On the entire planet, there are exactly zero scientists who say that Mars will reflect as much light as the Moon or that it will appear as large as the Moon.
On Aug. 27, 2003 (please note the year), when Mars was in opposition (closest point to Earth on each orbit), it happended to be the closest in thousands of years.
One astronomer said, in 2003, that "if you looked at Mars through a 75x telescope" it would look as big as the Full Moon does to the naked eye. Meaning: Mars was 75 times smaller than the Full Moon. Which is bigger than usual for Mars!
A journalist reported this without mentionning the annoying need of a telescope. SInce then, someone has been sending this hoax every year, telling people that on August 27 of whatever year we are at, Mars will look as big as the Full Moon.
This year (2007) the opposition of Mars will be on December 24 and Mars will only look as big as 1/100 of the Moon (meaning: you'll need a 100x telescope to make it look as big as the Moon).
The sad part, every year more and more people are taken in by this hoax.
2007-08-23 21:54:38 · answer #4 · answered by Raymond 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Someone else asked this question...
Look. It's the last of summer. All I see and want to know about is the two moons in her bikini.
If it looks like two moons take a pic and post. Until then... The two moons in her bikini...
2007-08-23 23:21:47 · answer #5 · answered by honesthustler 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Some scientists say that Mars will reflect just the right amount of sunshine back towards Earth to make it look like a bright white object, similar to the moon. They track its orbit around the sun and its just in the right position on that particular day. Its going to be a bright sunny day for them martians.
2007-08-23 21:23:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
Don't believe everything you read.
"Urban Legends" is usually a good place to check out e-mail info and web site's claims.
2007-08-23 21:24:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's yet another internet hoax. Don't believe it.
Any time you get an e-mail purporting something this outrageous, you should go to:
http://snopes.com
to check it out. This piece of internet blather is covered here:
http://www.snopes.com/science/mars.asp
2007-08-24 09:57:48 · answer #8 · answered by Dave_Stark 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing will happen. there won't be 2 moons.
2007-08-23 21:19:35 · answer #9 · answered by Mr. Smith 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Urban legend.
Mars won't even be as big as Uranus.
.
2007-08-23 22:21:57 · answer #10 · answered by tsr21 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋