OK I was dumb enough to beleive the story of Mars being closest on August 27th. I have arranged for my daughter to have some of here school friends spend the nite and we are having a martianmallow party with a bonfire and the whole theme. Party is on and i have borrowed telescopes but thats ok .
My question for all is what can we look at in the sky
on sat aug 27th now that i made the arrangements and when and where should we look we are close to kennedy space center in east central florida ? Any info would be most appreciative and certainly helpfull in getting me out of a fine pickle, Thanks Jack
MarcSite Admin
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 10:25 pm
Joined: 24 Oct 2003 Posts: 115 Location: Ireland
Hi Jack,
Glad to hear you're organising an astronomy party - sounds like fun! As for falling victim to the Mars hoax not to worry, you can still see Mars and it'll be quite bright in the night sky on the 27th. Mars will be the brightest "star" in the east-northeast.
Also watch out for the Moon on Saturday. If your daughter and/or her friends haven't seen the Moon though a telescope before it should be a real treat and worthy of a star party in its own right. You'll see so much more lunar detail than you could ever hope for from Mars (even when it was at its brightest in Aug. 2003). Be sure to point out the now visible "stars of winter", which can all be referenced in relation to the Moon. i.e. Capella lies to the upper left of the Moon, to its upper right lies the open cluster of stars: the Pleiades (commonly known as the Seven Sisters), Castor & Pollux (of the constellation Gemini) to the Moon's lower left, and the mighty hunter Orion to its lower right.
I think it would add to the party if you knew (or had an idea of) the mythical tales and stories behind the names any of the constellations you try to find.
but thats ok .
