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22 August 2003

Keep an Eye on Mars

by Sheldon Greaves

It's a truly once in lifetime opportunity; this month--August 27th, to be exact--the planet Mars will be closer than it has been in nearly 60,000 years. I've been watching Mars get brighter and brighter despite limited opportunities; this is the raniest August I've ever experienced and, having grown up in western Oregon, that's saying something.

But now the baleful red gleam of the fourth rock from the sun can even push its way between the boughs of trees as it rises. It's getting exciting enough for me to once more contemplate trying something at which I have been singlarly unsuccessful: taking pictures of heavenly objects. I promise to report on the outcome of my efforts, whatever happens. Maybe this time...

Meanwhile, there are tons of great resources out there for anyone who wants to bone up on this rare opportunity.

Griffith Observatory has a wonderful page filled with good information and links. The URL is http://www.griffithobs.org/mars2003.html. I'd like to thank Ray Lahr for sending us this item. Here are some other resources you might find interesting:

NASA has an article on "The Great Mars Rush" located at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast15may_1.htm

SpaceToday.org also has a good summary page detailing the basics of what we know about Mars, and some good links. Take a look at http://www.spacetoday.org/SolSys/Mars/MarsThePlanet/MarsNearEarth.html

JPL is also planning some free lectures in Pasadena, one of them on 22 August, about their Mars Exploration Rovers. One of these lectures will be webcast. For details see http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/events/lectures/aug03.cfm

Check with your local museum, observatory or planetarium and see what they have planned to mark this occasion. One of our members, Wayne Watson, had the following imaginative idea:

He writes, "Not one to miss out on a fun event, how about a Mars Flocking? The idea is somewhat like the Smart Flocking that cell phone owners coordinate. The latest popular rage. I'm not a cell phone owner, but it works roughly like this. Someone with a list of cell phone numbers calls everyone and tells them to meet at, say, at Baskin-Robbin's Ice Cream Store at 8 p.m. that day and all order some bizarre ice cream they don't have. After people have crowded around the store for a few minutes, they suddenly leave. People do this in parks, stores, and various public places. It's all harmless fun.

"Here's the Mars Flocking idea. Do something similar but ask everyone to bring a red ball of any size. Say, they all meet in a park and go romping around in a circle with someone holding a big yellow ball in the middle. Whatever you like. After 5 minutes everyone leaves with an explanation. Another possible variation is to offer $1.00 off the admission to your museum or Mars event to anyone that shows up with a red ball. Maybe even give a prize for the person that brings the largest red ball. Good luck and have fun."

I'd like to hear from SAS members about how you took advantage of this remarkable event. Drop me a line and we'll share it with the rest of our members.