NO ONE ALIVE TODAY will ever see it again!!!
By naveenln; Published 15 Aug 2008
“*Two moon on 27 August*
Planet Mars will be the brightest in the night sky starting August.
It will look as large as the full moon to the naked eye. This will culminate on Aug. 27 when Mars comes within 34.65M miles of earth. Be sure to watch the sky on Aug. 27 12:30 am. It will look like the earth has 2 moons. The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287. Share this with your friends as NO ONE ALIVE TODAY will ever see it again.”
Well this mail has been floating around the world since 2003!
Let’s put in some thoughts on this mail. I am sure with the details below you will realise the fact about this mail.
The mean distance of Earth from Sun is 1.0 AU. And that of Mars from Sun is about 1.5 AU. The distance of Mars from Earth varies from 0.5 AU (closest 1.5 AU - 1.0 AU) and 2.5 AU (farthest 1.5 AU + 1.0 AU). Therefore, Mars changes its apparent size by a factor or ratio of about 2.5 AU/0.5 AU or 5:1!
Mars appeared only about 1/90th apparent size of the Full Moon (during 2005 November opposition). And about 1/75th (during 2003 August opposition.) That means, if you used a telescope with a magnification of about 90x and 75x respectively, the image of Mars in the telescope would appear about the same size as the Full Moon appears without a telescope.
Its simple, Mars is 6800 Kms across and our Moon 3476 kms across. Moon is about 4 lakh kms from Earth, that Mars twice the size of moon should be at most 8 lakh kms from earth for it to appear as big as full moon to naked eye. One can easily compare the distance, where is 8 Lakh Kms and 34.56 Million miles. !!!
With the simple calculation you will find out how smaller mars will be at that distance compared to moon. If mars happen to come as close as 8 lakh Kms to earth. the tides will rise high due to the gravitational force from moon and mars..
Mars is a beautiful red planet to see thro a telescope, never miss an opportunity if you have one.
Regarding the hoax mail, I feel happy for one reason, first of all this mail triggers those people interested about stars to contact the nearest amateur club and get more information. Hence the local astronomy society gets noticed
NO ONE ALIVE TODAY will ever see it again!!! Yeah... there are many things happening up in deep sky... watch out... you may not be alive to see it happen again .. so get in touch with BAS !
~I love night more than day, she is so lovely~