Ticker for August 1, 2003

                
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August 1, 2003     August 1, 2003     August 1, 2003     August 1, 2003


Mark Your Calendars: Mars Makes Historic Pass!

During the next few weeks, you may notice a funny-looking object in
the heavens: large, BRIGHT, fuzzy and reddish.  It's none other than
our neighbor Mars!

That's right, on August 26th, Mars will come closer to Earth than
it has in 60,000 years.  It will be a mere 34,646,000 miles from
Earth (for perspective, this is about half the distance between
the Cubs and the NL pennant in any given year).

The difference will definitely be apparent to the naked eye.  It will
rish in the east-southeast and will be high in the southern sky by
midnight or so.

Pick a still, clear night and turn your eyes southward and up.

Happy viewing!