As if executing a cosmic air kiss, Earth and Mars will come as close as they desire in the wee hours of Wednesday during an historical event that has captivated the attention of skywatchers around the globe. The two planets will be separated by 34,646,418 miles (55,758,006 kilometers) at 5:51 a.m. ET (1051 GMT) on Aug. 27. Not since the Neanderthals shared this planet with early humans have the two worlds been so close. The span of space is small only in the cosmic sense, however. Despite rumors, there will be no chance of collision and no unusual or dangerous gravitational effects. It is just a wonderful opportunity for anyone to enjoy a slice of astronomical history and to see Mars as bright as it can be. Public interest in the event has soared recently as media around the world cover the story, which was first reported by SPACE.com last November. "It's taken on almost a mystical importance with people," said Ray Villard, news director at the Space Telescope Science Institute, which operates the Hubble Space Telescope. Hubble, which orbits Earth, will take advantage of the proximity by snapping two pictures of Mars for release Wednesday. The first will be available on SPACE.com shortly after 6 a.m. ET (1100 GMT) that day. Mars rises in the southeast around sunset, your local time, shimmering like an orange star so bright it could momentarily be mistaken for an airliner on final approach. It outshines all other stars in the sky. Around 1 a.m. Mars is due south and high in the sky. It sets in the southwest at about sunrise.
View: Full Article | Source: space.com
