Has anyone gone out and looked at Mars yet? It's absolutely beautiful! I don't have a telescope so I'm hoping this thread will interest someone with a telescope to keep us informed as it gets closer to Earth.
I went out last night to a hill by my house, and you can see it twinkle red. I understand around the 27th, it will be closest to the Earth, and as big as the moon. 5,000 years will go by before the next event happens. What is this, five hundred generations will pass by before the next generation sees this event again?
I'm going out to the hill every night and I'll report back what I see. It's in the southeastern sky if anyone wants to go take a look tonight. Pray for clear skies everyone!
Yeah, it's beautiful, and it's the first time in 60000 years to be so close... so we're the first humans (homines sapientes, anyway) to see it from such proximity! I don't have a telescope either :-( i wonder if there are some cool photos on the internet?**
Originally posted by Kukabeara I went out last night to a hill by my house, and you can see it twinkle red. I understand around the 27th, it will be closest to the Earth, and as big as the moon. 5,000 years will go by before the next event happens. What is this, five hundred generations will pass by before the next generation sees this event again?
Depending on where you are, the entire sky can be tinted red when it reaches its peak in the night sky (usually around 12:30)...
It won't get as big as the moon... but at 10x magnification, it will be as big in the telescope as the moon is to the naked eye.
It'll actually be (probalby) about 2700 years until Mars is this close again. What happens is this: the Earth and Mars orbit the sun at different speeds, so its like they are chasing each other around the sun. The Earth moves faster, so eventually, it will catch up and "lap" Mars. When this happens, Mars is at it's closest point to the earth. Frankly, professional astronomers aren't going care enough to be taking that many pics... Mars has been studied in so much depth by probes, there isn't really that much left to learn that can be aided by this event. I'll bet there will be some radar tests going on, though.
It really is a beautiful thing... I'll try to find some pics on the net... My scout troop went to an observatory here in Texas, and it was PACKED, so everyone seems pretty excited.
My dad has a fairly massive telescope. He's having a large group over this evening to look through it (including myself). And if he managed it, he'll have a kit setup to take some still images of the planet through the telescope with a professional photographer in the house to make sure the exposures all go well (and we may get some video for some backup images).
If anyone else is able to get an image or two of this event - please post them!
Originally posted by Marc Flemming My dad has a fairly massive telescope. He's having a large group over this evening to look through it (including myself).
Been looking at it just about every night. It's difficult to find dark sky around here, but even with the bright city lights and the naked eye it knocks me out. I would describe the color (from here .. naked eye ) as brilliant golden orange. There have been some nights where conditions were such that there was nothing else visible in the sky ... just the Moon and Mars.
Had one opportunity to view though a friend's so-so telescope and was able to see it somewhat better ... but nothing like the resolution of the images Marc posted. The problem around here, as mentioned is finding dark sky.
Special thanks to Marc for the images. I envy your opportunity to experience this once in a lifetime event up close and personal.
Anyway ... heads up and keep looking ... it will remain close to earth and very visible through much of September.
Best to all.
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly,what is essential is invisible to the eye."
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
I've only gotten to see it one time since I started this thread. We've had nothing but cloud cover. I went up to our hill about 9:30 but it must have been too early. I can get dark skies, but not clear ones by the time it's visible here (about 11:30 PM).
I just learned on the news this morning that our local planetarium has a telescope they're letting people see Mars through. I'm going to check that out. I guess we'll be able to see Mars really good through October.
I too like the pictures posted here. I want a telescope too!
Originally posted by Kukabeara I've only gotten to see it one time since I started this thread. We've had nothing but cloud cover. I went up to our hill about 9:30 but it must have been too early. I can get dark skies, but not clear ones by the time it's visible here (about 11:30 PM).
I just learned on the news this morning that our local planetarium has a telescope they're letting people see Mars through. I'm going to check that out. I guess we'll be able to see Mars really good through October.
I too like the pictures posted here. I want a telescope too!
Maybe try a little later if you can -- 12:30 -2 am ? Also, someone told me it is supposed to also be visible in the SouthWESTERN sky close to daybreak, but can't confirm that.
As for Planetariums and Space Centers -- there are usually long lines of folks waiting for a look at major sky events. You might check to see if you have a local Astronomers Club who'd let you take a peek with them ?
You have nearby access to dark sky and a hill too, lucky you It might be worth it for you to purchase a telescope. There are supposed to be some reasonably priced ones that are serviceable and there are all kinds of things happening "up there" all the time. I think there's a meteor (shooting star) event coming soon -- maybe October ?
Later ... and let me know if you see any little green men
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly,what is essential is invisible to the eye."
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
08-24-2003 04:17 PM
