posted October 16, 2005 09:57 PM         

It is possible you've received an email which says that Mars will be
closest to Earth in August in 50,000 years. Sorry, that was 2 years ago,
you're reading a recycled email. This year's closest approach will be October 29,
and although it will be spectacular, it is not a record breaker.

So, why are we getting closer to Mars? Imagine two cars
on a race track. If one is closer to the center of the track and traveling faster,
it will eventully catch up to and pass the outer car. This is what is happening with Earth and Mars,
we are "lapping" the Red Planet.

Those of us who simply enjoy looking up at the night sky
are not the only ones interested in Mars' close approach.
NASA is planning to launch the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO)
on August 10th, 2005. It will take over 6 months for the orbiter to reach
the Red Planet.

This timing will allow MRO to overtake
Mars and arrive in March 2006. Once it enters orbit
it starts a 2-year mission to map Mars in great detail. The MRO has high-resolution cameras which can
spot objects as as small as 1 meter or less. It will use a RADAR sounder
to search for water and spectrometers to look for minerals.
The orbiter will also help us learn more about Mars weather patterns.

On Halloween night, 2005, will be the best view.
It will rise at sunset and hang overhead through most of the night. So, grab a sky map and start
watching the approach of Mars, then enjoy the big show on October 31.
http://space.about.com/od/astronomynews/a/marsclose2005_2.htm

*I was looking at my astronomy calendar and it says from tonight through the next month Mars will be close... reminded me of some erroneous posts and emails from a few months ago, so I did some research.

posted October 16, 2005 10:29 PM         

thanks, Mars and halloween Night
hehe

going to be a powerful Hallow's Eve
I perceive