UWG News Item
Contact: UWG Public Relations Office
Phone (678) 839-6464, FAX (678) 839-6645
ucm@westga.edu
Observatory open for public viewing
September 10, 2005
CARROLLTON, GA - It’s a bird…it’s a plane… it’s Mars, the brightest planet in the eastern sky. As Mars moves closer to Earth, it’s not coming alone — it brings a wide range of rumors along for the celestial ride.
Some people are convinced Mars is racing toward Earth and that it will appear as large as a full moon.
Dr. Bob Powell, director of the West Georgia observatory, wants people to know the rumors are a hoax but that October will be a good time for viewing.
“This year, Mars will be the closest to the Earth in October,” said Powell. “But not as close as it was in 2003.”
Powell believes the rumors originated in an email that describes a scenario in August 2003, when Mars orbited closer to Earth than it had in thousands of years.
According to NASA’s website, Earth and Mars will reach another close encounter Oct. 30 with only 69 million kilometers or about 111 million miles between them. In 2003, the planets were about 56 million kilometers apart.
NASA officials say sky watchers should be able to see Mars as a bright red star, but it will not be as large as a full moon. For anyone hoping for a closer encounter, don’t be too disappointed. NASA and Powell said if Mars did come extraordinarily close to the moon, its gravity would change Earth's orbit and produce catastrophic results.
Powell still receives emails and questions concerning the Mars hoax from people who would like to use the observatory’s powerful telescope. The observatory is opening this month for public viewing and will be open to the public through May on scheduled evenings when a panorama of stars is optimal. Powell said he hopes people will come to the UWG observatory to see Mars and other celestial marvels.
Viewings are free and open to the public on the following dates:
Sept. 15, 8:30 -10 p.m.
Oct. 3, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Nov. 21, 7 – 8 p.m.
Dec. 5, 7 – 8 p.m.
Jan. 9, 7 – 8 p.m.
Feb. 20, 7 - 8p.m.
March 6, 8 – 9 p.m.
April 17, 9 – 10 p.m.
May 1, 9 –10 p.m.
For more information, contact the Department of Physics at 678-839-4087.
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