First Identity Theft, now an Internet Hoax. Some days it doesn't pay to get out of bed. My Amarillo chum sent along this clarification. If you snooze, you lose. Welcome to the Blogoshere. I know now how Dan Rather felt. If this is (fair & balanced) mortification, so be it.
[x TruthOrFiction.com]
Mars is Going to Be the Closest to Earth Then Ever Before in Recorded History-Truth! But It Was in 2003!
Summary of the eRumor
The eRumor says that Mars is going to be close to the earth in July and August, the closest in recorded history, maybe the closest in more than 60,000 years, and will be the brightest object in the sky apart from the moon.
The Truth
This story is true, but it was an event that took place in 2003.
For some reason, the story started circulating again in 2005 as though it was going to happen then.
A real example of the eRumor as it has appeared on the Internet:
MARS SPECTACULAR!
The Red Planet is about to be spectacular! 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 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 it will rise in the east at 10p.m. 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.
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Tuesday, June 21, 2005
(Fair & Balanced) Rants & Raves: Hoax Victim!
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