Expert: Paul Wagner - 8/17/2007

Question
Hello....Is this real or a hoax?

Thanks,
Patty

Answer
Hi Patty

I am sorry, but this is almost a pure hoax.  It is true that in August of 2003, Mars was as close to the Earth is it is going to get for a long time.  That part it true.  But even then, Mars would appear to the eye to be smaller than a small crater on the surface of the moon---not a "second Moon" in the sky.

But the Earth and Mars orbit the sun at different rates.  We are in more or less the same position every couple of years, and so this story resurfaces on a regular basis.  And each time they claim it is the "once in a lifetime" event.  It's not, and it wasn't really that spectacular in 2003.  

Sorry that I have to be the bearer of sad news.

Paul Wagner