[nukkad] CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH MARS

[Bhavin Bhatt - PCS <>]

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Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. 
-Lord Acton (John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton), historian (1834-1902)
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Never again in our lifetimes will the Red Planet be so spectacular! 
This month and next, Earth is catching up with Mars, 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. 

The encounter will culminate on August 27th when Mars comes to within 
34,649,589 miles 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 Mars 
will rise in the east at 10 p.m.  and reach its azimuth at about 3 a.m.  But

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.  That's quite

convenient when it comes to viewing a celestial occurrence that no human 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. 
August 27th will be the close encounter! 

Share this!  No one alive today will ever see this again


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