MARS

On 27 August 2003 @ 9:51 UT Mars was 34,646,418 miles from the Earth (a mere stones throw). Mars will not be this close again until 2287. The last time Mars was this close was in 57,617 B.C. (remember?).

The maximum diameter of Mars as seen from Earth was 25.11". Jupiter is on the order of 30". Even a small telescope showed Martian detail and allowed picture taking.
http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/nineplanets/nineplanets/mars.html
http://www.lpl.arizona.edu/alpo

Present Page Version as of 14 December 2004

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