Mars Makes Closest Pass To Earth In 11 Years
BOSTON (CBS) -- I don't want to alarm anyone, BUT this would be the perfect week for an alien invasion from Mars. No, it isn't because we are expecting lovely weather here, I think the Martians would take just about any weather we could dish out. The Mars climate averages about -80 degrees and has wild swings from -195 to about 70 above. That brings a whole new meaning to "don't like the weather just wait a minute"!
Sorry, getting off track, back to that alien invasion thing: Why would this week be the perfect week for a visit from our Martian neighbors? Simply because Mars is the closest it has been to Earth in about 11 years, a "relatively" meager 46.8 million miles! That is about half the distance from the Earth to the Sun. Right now Earth and Mars are at "opposition", or their closest point in their respective orbits. While this may seem close, back in 2003 the two planets were just 33.9 million miles apart, a "stone's throw" by universal standards.
On the other end of the scale, when the two are at their aphelion (or farthest apart), they can be about 250 million miles from each other, now that is a LONG ways away.
So why are we telling you all this? How can you take advantage of these seemingly useless planetary facts? Easy! Just look up any night this week in the southeastern sky. This will be your shot to see Mars at its brightest. It will easily be the brightest star in the sky and to its lower left will be Saturn!
So, have at it. Amaze your friends with your new astronomical knowledge! And keep an eye out at the supermarket or on the beach for shady characters. The Martians just may choose to take advantage of this rare close pass and enjoy a summah in New England.
Follow Terry On Twitter @TerryWBZ
