Even though Mars typically is disapointing through the telescope (it has very low contrast features that take a trained eye to tease out) a better
show right now is still comet Holmes which is bigger than the full moon, grab your binocs its pretty cool looking.
"Mars Opposition! Mars will not be this close to Earth again until 2016: at a distance of 0.60 AU, or 56 million miles from Earth. Mars rises just
after twilight in December. This month, Mars reaches its largest angular diameter of nearly 16 arcseconds. For comparison, Saturn, minus, its rings,
spans about 18 arcseconds in apparent diameter this month. Compare the two planets. Mars is 0.6 AU from Earth, while Saturn is 9.2 AU (855 million
miles) from Earth. Mars outshines the brightest star in the sky - Sirius, in the constellation Canis Major. On December 23, look for Mars near the
full moon. North American observers can glimpse the dark feature Syrtis Major this month, while southern observers can view Solis Lacus. Mars is
extremely favorable for telescopic observing this month. From now until April 2008, Mars will be great to view all night long."BornFisher - 12-9-2007 at 11:24 PM
Very clear here in SoCal because of rains and Mars looks just beautiful in the eastern sky!!capt. mike - 12-10-2007 at 06:19 AM
i for one am very opposed to Mars' opposition!
we are not alone!!
there are several bases on the moon now. Americans, take your heads out of the sands now!! The military has had a parallel space program most don't
know about. When NASA was doing the public stuff, others in black ops were doing higher and more risky stuff - many have died but when its military
its just the job and public can't outrage!
Some people really do believe that Howard - 12-11-2007 at 08:51 PM
I was in Loreto and saw the "red and green star". I would be willing to venture a guess and bet a beer or 3 that is is the space station. I'm
serious, I really think it might be the space station.vandenberg - 12-11-2007 at 09:07 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Howard
I was in Loreto and saw the "red and green star". I would be willing to venture a guess and bet a beer or 3 that is is the space station. I'm
serious, I really think it might be the space station.
Should be easy to differenciate. Mars would move accross the sky at a "much" slower rate than the space station. Actually can see the latter move.danaeb - 12-11-2007 at 09:13 PM
I just went out on the deck (8pm, San Diego) and Mars was easily visible. Pretty cool.BMG - 12-11-2007 at 09:18 PM
I took a picture of the 'blue moon' on May 31, 2007 in La Paz. When I looked at it later on my computer I saw the planet in the background.
danaeb - 12-11-2007 at 09:22 PM
Steve - that's a cool photo.Barry A. - 12-11-2007 at 10:19 PM
Capt. Mike-----cool it-----you are scaring people.
Capt. M,
djh - 12-11-2007 at 11:05 PM
Capt'n Mulder.... please tell Captian Scully hello from the alien currently controlling the typing fingers of djh
ahhhhhh.... we love you Mike !BornFisher - 12-11-2007 at 11:39 PM
Hey Howard-- How about a case of beer?? Guess you`ve never seen the ISS. It crosses the sky in about 5 minutes and orbits the earth about every hour!!
But I`ve seen some red and green lights too, in the western sky over BOLA in Dec. (about sun up) and wondered WTF?????
Now speaking of Mars, get out tomorrow (after midnight prefered) and look to the eastern sky for an awesome meteror shower!! link to---
