NASA/JPL/MSSS
Mars will be at its closest to Earth in more than
59,000 years for the next two months.
Mars offers a closer look
as it nears Earth
For the next two months, Mars heads for the closest encounter with Earth in 59,600 years, offering sky-gazers a rare opportunity to view the planet's polar ice caps and dark plains through a telescope.
CORRECTION
Thursday, July 3, 2003>> On Aug. 26, Mars will be 35 million miles from Earth. A Page A6 article yesterday incorrectly said Mars will be 128 million miles away.
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at fbridgewater@starbulletin.com.
At its closest, Mars will be 128 million miles from Earth on Aug. 26.
To the naked eye, the "red planet" appears as a glowing orange ember in the eastern sky, as bright as the brightest star, said Mike Shanahan, Bishop Museum's planetarium manager. By the end of August, the planet will be more than twice as bright as the stars, he said.
"The last time Mars had this close of an approach, it was almost 60,000 years ago. This is definitely exciting," he said.
Shanahan explained Mars orbits the Sun every 26 months. While Mars is at the closest point to the Sun, the Earth will be in the middle of the two and the closest to Mars, he said.
To see the red planet, Shanahan advises finding a dark sky after 10 p.m. and looking east for a "very bright orange light." Experienced star gazers familiar with the constellation Aquarius can find the planet in the constellation's southern end.
The Bishop Museum is also opening its observatory doors from 10 p.m. until midnight Aug. 26-27 for viewing and is featuring daily Mars shows at the planetarium through Sept. 2.
Shanahan is offering an in-depth lecture "Mars: Once in a Lifetime" on July 10 at the museum.
Kids can also learn about the planet and explore the Mars Exploration Rovers on the second floor of the "Robotics!" exhibit. Children can make Mars Rovers and test them on a simulated Mars surface.
For information, call 847-3511.
