Attn astronomy buffs: Close-up: Best view of Mars in 60,000 years

[newyawker99]

(Reuters) -- Mars is getting ready for its close-up, with the red planet coming as near to Earth this month as it has in almost 60,000 years.

Its closest pass will come on August 27 at 5:51 a.m. EDT (0951 GMT), when Mars will be less than 34.65 million miles (55.76 million km) away.

The last time it came nearer was around September 12 in 57,617 B.C. when Mars came about 25,000 miles (40,230 km) closer, at a distance of 34.62 million miles (55.72 million km) from Earth.

"If Neanderthals had telescopes, they would have seen it a little bit better than we will on August 27," said astronomer Geoff Chester of the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington.

Mars

[varun]

1. thats cool...

look for the polar cap(s) on Mars using a small telescope. I have a 4" reflector, and I saw the caps during the last time Mars came so close (it does so every 16 years, but this time, its going to be Verrrrryyyy close).

Also, Aug 12 is the Perseid Metero showers, so it might be a double treat to go out that night to see the meteros and Mars.

[Cha]

2. That's so neat! Thanks for this info. A friend is going to have

a Mar's party on August 13th.

[tsakshaug]

3. I want to see

but it won't stop raining in Rochester

[newyawker99]

4. Congrats tsakshaug!! 100 posts

A :toast: for your first mileston!! :-)