Is the "Griffith Observer" and online magazine?

"David Nakamoto" wrote in message
news:GiEte.12$tA.2@trnddc06...
I'm beginning to be convinced that this story is some prank by someone
with way too much time, since it only affects the amateur astronomy
community, and would not be of general interest to the general public.
After all, some editing of the important facts, like the year this
pertains to, have been snipped out.

To get the record straight.

Mars closest approach, Oct 29-30, depending on your location.
Mars Opposition, November 6-7, again depending on your location.
Size of disk = 20 arc-seconds.
Season on Mars? Mid Summer for the southern contingent, a warm balmy 0
degrees centigrade, until the dust storms blot out the Sun and freezes
their patooties off. ^_^
Constellation? Aries, quite a bit further north than it was in 2003.

Next time Mars is this large? 2018. However, at that time it will be
almost as far south as it can get, between Sagittarius and Capricorn,
making it more difficult to see for northern observers. On the plus side,
the nights for northern observers will be fairly warm.

For those that are interested, I'm running a three article series on this
Opposition in the Griffith Observer, the Griffith Observatory magazine,
starting in August.

--- Dave
--
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pinprick holes in a colorless sky
Let inspired figures of light pass by
The Mighty Light of ten thousand suns
Challenges infinity, and is soon gone




"Chris L Peterson" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 20 Jun 2005 09:49:18 -0400, Chip
wrote:

I just received a forwarded message about Mars being"huge" this summer.
25 arc seconds wide. The message went on to say that it'll be as big as
the full moon naked eye...

Mars was very close _two_ years ago. This story was put into circulation
again last summer (which was ridiculous- Mars is only in opposition
every other year), and again this summer, where it is merely inaccurate
(Mars will be close again, but not as close as it was two years ago). I
don't know who keeps dredging up this old story, but it's looking like
we're now cursed to see it annually!

_________________________________________________

Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com