Expert: Steven LJ Russo - 8/6/2006

Question
I recently received an email that stated in the month of Aug. Mars would be the closet to Earth as it's been in the past 5,000 years. Supposedly, it will be the size of the moon to the naked eye, in the eastern sky. Is this true?
Thank you!
Maria Scott

Answer
Maria:

NOT true AT ALL!  Here is a copy of a press release I issued the other day.



MARS NOT MAKING A CLOSE APPROACH

For the third August in a row, the public is being hit with e-mails about the planet Mars.  The e-mail mentions that on August 27th, the Red Planet will be closer to the Earth than at any other time in our lives, and that it will look as big as the Moon in the sky.

This is a rehash of misinformation, from when Mars DID make a close approach in 2003.
At that time, Mars looked like a very bright orange "star" in our night sky.

Mars DOES come close to the Earth about every two years, and will be at a closer distance every 15 years.  But 2006, is NOT one of those years.

For most of 2006, Mars is actually on the other side of the Sun from us, and will not even be visible from the Earth.  During this month of August, it is hard to see, being very low in the west just after Sunset.  At the end of 2006, it will be visible in the east before Sunrise.  Mars will be in much better view in December of 2007.

Even at its best, like it was back in 2003, Mars will NEVER look as large as the Moon in the sky.  The Moon is, on average, 238,000 miles from the Earth.  Mars on the other hand is, on average, 139.5 million miles from the Earth.  Even in most telescopes, Mars will still appear smaller than the Moon.

Steve