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Date: 25 Aug 2006 09:13:20
From:
Subject: Martian Misinformation
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http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/25aug_marshoax.htm
Martian Misinformation
NASA Science News
August 25, 2006
August 25, 2006: On Sunday, August 27th, Mars will be far from Earth,
dim and unremarkable. In short, a total bore.
That's news? It is when a widely-read email claims just the opposite.
Perhaps you've seen it:
see caption"The Red Planet is about to be spectacular."
"Earth is catching up with Mars [for] the closest approach between
the two planets in recorded history."
"On August 27th ?? Mars will look as large as the full moon."
"NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN."
This is called the "Mars Hoax" and, as the name suggests, it is false.
If Mars ever came close enough to Earth to rival the Moon, it would
alter Earth's orbit and raise fantastic tides. Impossible: The orbits
of
Earth and Mars are too far apart. In fact, this month Mars is about as
far from Earth as it can get: 385 million km, all the way on the other
side of the Solar System.
The Hoax first appeared in 2003. On August 27th of that year, Mars
really did come historically close to Earth: 56 million km. But even
then the e-mail's claim that Mars would rival the Moon was grossly
exaggerated. To the unaided eye, Mars looked like a bright red star,
nothing more. In every August since 2003, the email has staged a
revival.
If you want to see something truly astronomical on August 27th, wake up
before dawn on Sunday and look east. Venus and Saturn are having a
close
encounter, as shown in the sky map, above. The two planets will be
stationed less than half-a-degree apart in the rosy glow of the rising
sun. Suggestion: Take your binoculars out with you. Venus is intense,
but Saturn is easily lost in the brightening dawn. Binoculars help, and
both planets can be seen at once through typical optics--very pretty.
Meanwhile, Mars is a bore. Spread the word.
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Date: 25 Aug 2006 19:48:27
From: Anthony Ayiomamitis
Subject: Re: Martian Misinformation
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.... and some graphic evidence from a month ago available at
http://www.perseus.gr/Astro-Lunar-Occult-2006-07-27D.htm .
Anthony.
baalke@earthlink.net wrote:
> http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/25aug_marshoax.htm
>
> Martian Misinformation
> NASA Science News
> August 25, 2006
>
> August 25, 2006: On Sunday, August 27th, Mars will be far from Earth,
> dim and unremarkable. In short, a total bore.
>
> That's news? It is when a widely-read email claims just the opposite.
> Perhaps you've seen it:
>
> see caption"The Red Planet is about to be spectacular."
>
> "Earth is catching up with Mars [for] the closest approach between
> the two planets in recorded history."
>
> "On August 27th ?? Mars will look as large as the full moon."
>
> "NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN."
>
> This is called the "Mars Hoax" and, as the name suggests, it is false.
>
> If Mars ever came close enough to Earth to rival the Moon, it would
> alter Earth's orbit and raise fantastic tides. Impossible: The orbits
> of
> Earth and Mars are too far apart. In fact, this month Mars is about as
> far from Earth as it can get: 385 million km, all the way on the other
> side of the Solar System.
>
> The Hoax first appeared in 2003. On August 27th of that year, Mars
> really did come historically close to Earth: 56 million km. But even
> then the e-mail's claim that Mars would rival the Moon was grossly
> exaggerated. To the unaided eye, Mars looked like a bright red star,
> nothing more. In every August since 2003, the email has staged a
> revival.
>
> If you want to see something truly astronomical on August 27th, wake up
> before dawn on Sunday and look east. Venus and Saturn are having a
> close
> encounter, as shown in the sky map, above. The two planets will be
> stationed less than half-a-degree apart in the rosy glow of the rising
> sun. Suggestion: Take your binoculars out with you. Venus is intense,
> but Saturn is easily lost in the brightening dawn. Binoculars help, and
> both planets can be seen at once through typical optics--very pretty.
>
> Meanwhile, Mars is a bore. Spread the word.
>
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Date: 25 Aug 2006 20:30:50
From: Davoud
Subject: Re: Martian Misinformation
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Ron Baalke wrote:
> > This is called the "Mars Hoax..."
Anthony Ayiomamitis replied:
> .... and some graphic evidence from a month ago available at
> http://www.perseus.gr/Astro-Lunar-Occult-2006-07-27D.htm .
Very nice, very timely. Er, uh, that's Mars on the right with multiple
exposures of the Moon, right :--]
Davoud
--
usenet *at* davidillig dawt com
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Date: 26 Aug 2006 03:48:32
From: Anthony Ayiomamitis
Subject: Re: Martian Misinformation
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Davoud wrote:
> Ron Baalke wrote:
>
>
>>>This is called the "Mars Hoax..."
>
>
> Anthony Ayiomamitis replied:
>
>
>>.... and some graphic evidence from a month ago available at
>>http://www.perseus.gr/Astro-Lunar-Occult-2006-07-27D.htm .
>
>
> Very nice, very timely. Er, uh, that's Mars on the right with multiple
> exposures of the Moon, right :--]
Hehehe ... exactly! LOL!
Anthony.
>
> Davoud
>
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