[Philmont]: Two Moons

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Date: Fri, 3 Jun 2005 15:37:26 -0700 (PDT)
From: Manuel Martinez <mrmjmartinez@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Two Moons

Olan,
I found this on the article on the Internet and thought it was worth
sharing.
For anyone going camping this summer away from the city lights, it is an even
better opportunity to experience it. Article is as follows:
          
                                              Y.I.S.
                                              Manuel Martinez
                                              Unit Commissioner
                                              Trinity Trails
 
MARS SPECTACULAR!

The Red Planet is about to be spectacular! This month and next, Earth
is
catching up with Mars in an encounter that will culminate in the
closest
approach between the two planets in recorded history. The next time
Mars
may come this close is in 2287. Due to the way Jupiter's gravity tugs
on
Mars and perturbs its orbit, astronomers can only be certain that Mars
has
not come this close to Earth in the Last 5,000 years, but it may be as
long
as 60,000 years before it happens again.

The encounter will culminate on August 27th when Mars comes to within
34,649,589 miles of Earth and will be (next to the moon) the brightest
object in the night sky. It will attain a magnitude of -2.9 and will
appear
25.11 arc seconds wide. At a modest 75-power magnification

Mars will look as large as the full moon to the naked eye. Mars will be
easy to spot. At the beginning of August it will rise in the east at
10p.m.
and reach its azimuth at about 3 a.m.

By the end of August when the two planets are closest, Mars will rise
at
nightfall and reach its highest point in the sky at 12:30a.m. That's
pretty
convenient to see something that no human being has seen in recorded
history. So, mark your calendar at the beginning of August to see Mars
grow
progressively brighter and brighter throughout the month.

Share this with your children and grandchildren. NO ONE ALIVE TODAY
WILL
EVER SEE THIS AGAIN
 

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As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
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Received on Sat Jun 4 21:05:10 2005