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Mars to come closest to Earth after 73,000 years
Kolkata, July 13: In a rare cosmic rendezvous, Mars would come closest to Earth after a phenomenally-long gap of 73,000 years on August 27, when the red planet would look as big as the Jupiter to the naked eye.
Kolkata, July 13: In a rare cosmic rendezvous, Mars would come closest to Earth after a phenomenally-long gap of 73,000 years on August 27, when the red planet would look as big as the Jupiter to the naked eye.
While the Mars had started `getting bigger` since the beginning of this year as it gradually came closer to the Earth, the peak date would be on August 27 after which it would gradually drift away getting smaller, director (research) of the B M Birla Planetarium Dr Debi Prasad Duari told media persons.
The celestial phenomenon would begin at 9:05 GMT (roughly 2:30 pm IST) when the red planet `rises` in the eastern sky.
"If one is industrious enough, he or she can see the planet the same evening. An 18-inch telescope would be a wonderful instrument to get the best view," Duari said.
Beginning May, the angular diameter of mars measured in seconds was 9.5 and on the closest day to earth it would have a diameter of 21.5 secs, he added.
As Mars rotates around the Earth, the planet`s south pole can be clearly seen even with naked eye during the phase. Duari said though monsoon clouds could mar the event, "one certainly can be assured of getting at least a few glimpses."
Those who fail to see the planet during this special phase that lasts till September, cannot have a feel of the rare phenomenon in their lifetime as a `repeat show` is only scheduled 2287 years later. Bureau Report
The celestial phenomenon would begin at 9:05 GMT (roughly 2:30 pm IST) when the red planet `rises` in the eastern sky.
"If one is industrious enough, he or she can see the planet the same evening. An 18-inch telescope would be a wonderful instrument to get the best view," Duari said.
Beginning May, the angular diameter of mars measured in seconds was 9.5 and on the closest day to earth it would have a diameter of 21.5 secs, he added.
As Mars rotates around the Earth, the planet`s south pole can be clearly seen even with naked eye during the phase. Duari said though monsoon clouds could mar the event, "one certainly can be assured of getting at least a few glimpses."
Those who fail to see the planet during this special phase that lasts till September, cannot have a feel of the rare phenomenon in their lifetime as a `repeat show` is only scheduled 2287 years later. Bureau Report