They’re so spectacular because Mars looks much larger than usual due to nearing a close approach to Earth that occurs about every 17 years. In this case it’ll be the closest approach in 50,000 years!
The Astronomy Picture of the Day - http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap030724.html
http://www.lunar-occultations.com/iota/2003marsgraze/mars.htm
GIF movie of the Moon grazing Mars! - http://www.palmbeachastro.org/mmg-fl.htm
I was afraid to click on the links, fearing it would be a porn shoot with Moon Unit Zappa and the guy who played Mars in Hercules the legendary journeys.
Well, I’m off to occult the wife.
Wow.
Amazing!
that means, if life will still exist on this planet, at one point mars will be too damn close for comfort! lol:D
very beautiful pictures:)
Very, very, very cool. I can almost forgive the first Tomb Raider movie for the shot of the planets lined up like billiard balls.
(Where are the space raccoons?)
Great photo, rowr! Thanks for sharing. (Great screen name too.)
So rowrrbazzle, are you gonna go out and see the thing for yourself? We’re thinking about Volo Bog for a night viewing, or maybe Bong Recreation Area up in Wisconsin (just off I94).
Thanks for the links!
Don’t tell GOM, though. You know how she feels about the occult.