Hash #577 - Two Moon Mars Hash
 
Host/Hare: Iain "Cueball"

Date: Sunday, August 27th.

Time: 3:00pm for a 3:30pm start - be on time!

As Iain reports (based on a 'trusted' e-mail he received):
Planet Mars will be the brightest in the night sky on Aug 27 when it comes within 34.6 million miles of Earth. It will look as large as the full moon to the naked eye (it will look like the Earth has two moons). Don't miss it ... as the next time Mars come this close will be in 2287... no hasher alive today will ever see this occur again!

Note: We all know that Iain uses the internet a lot and that he believes most things he reads.  Not that we should doubt his story, but he ought to be ready for a double down-down if a 2nd moon doesn't appear...
... unless it is provided by his wife, of course!

Location: Campo Alegre; Res. Cociuza at the intersection of 4th Avenida & Los Ravelos.

Directions:  One block up (north) from Fco. de Miranda, and one block east of the Embassy Suites Hotel, which is opposite the C.C. Centro Lido, El Rosal.  printable map

Hash Insight:  The hash will include a 'journey', so be on time or you will not be able to pick up the trail. The Hash will be unique and buggy friendly.  After the run/walk, all hashers will be delighted with delicious delicacies, as only Iain can develop.

Costs:  Normal "Food Hash" charge:
= 15kBs for adult males
= 10kBs for adult females
=   5kBs for children (10-18)

Contact Iain Williams: 0412-630-6249  
email:  iainw@iainwilliams.com

 


 

 

 
Earth set for Mars close encounter

Every 26 months, the Earth overtakes Mars on the inside track as they both orbit the Sun. Every 15 to 17 years, this happens when Mars is closest to the Sun.

On 27 August 2003 they will pass at a distance of 55,760,000 km or 0.3727 AU (1 AU is the distance of the Earth from the Sun), closer than any time during the last 60,000 years. At its closest, Mars will be 25 seconds of arc in diameter, the size of a tennis ball at a distance of 528 metres - or 1/60 the diameter of the full Moon.

Throughout July, August and September, Mars will be easy to see with the naked eye. Each night it will rise earlier, until by late August it will be just above the horizon, south of east, soon after sunset. Once risen, it will be the brightest object in the sky, appearing orange red. From the latitude of the UK, it will never rise higher than 22 degrees and you will need an unobstructed view to the south to see it. To see any surface detail requires a good quality telescope with a lens or mirror diameter of about 10 cm, on a stable mount. 

Mars, the Roman god of war, has always had a special fascination for us. Indeed, there is even a slight connection as both blood and Mars owe their red color to iron and oxygen.