[AstroNet] Two Moons? Mars Close to Earth?

[Kevin Govender]

Hi all
Just a quick note about an old urban legend doing its rounds again - in 
case any of your family or friends or colleagues ask you.
The story is that Mars will appear as large as the full moon on 27th 
August thus making it appear as though the earth has 2 moons.
This is nonsense and the remnants of a misunderstanding in 2003 when 
Mars did make a close approach but was still nowhere near the size of 
the moon.
Please refer anyone who queries this to the following website: 
http://www.snopes.com/science/mars.asp

Have a look at that website yourself where you will see snippets of some 
of the original emails that were sent out and a full explanation of the 
misunderstanding.

If ever you hear of any such rumours in the future please let us know 
and we'll be glad to investigate.

Thanks
Kevin


-- 
Kevin Govender
Manager: SALT Collateral Benefits Programme
South African Astronomical Observatory
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Email: kg at saao.ac.za
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