The Red Planet is about to be spectacular in August of 2009!
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 2009 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 2009 it will rise in the east at 10 PM 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

As much as I wish this was true, I have to report that it isn't. I had heard about this, and told my aunt, but she told me it wasn't true and told me to check. I found these sites.

http://space.about.com/library/weekly/blmarsclose2.htm

http://www.snopes.com/science/astronomy/brightmars.asp

How sad that something like this is placed all over the interent for all to see knowing that's it not true.

Yep. And apparently it circulates every few years. I wish it was true though. That would be very cool to see.