August 27th Mars as big as the Moon fact or fiction?

Hey gang... I was anxiously awaiting August 27th to view the spectacular that I had seen in several e-mails, and web site postings.

The story says that tonight Mars will be as large as our moon in the night sky. It is making a close pass (something like a gazillion and a half miles or so) by earth tonight. It seems that even though it does come closer to earth about once a year, it is still about 88 times as far away as our moon... not a chance to see the big red orb unfortunately.

Here's a link to snopes that describes the phenomenon and exposes the myth to this one... browse around snopes for fun next time you get an e-mail... you might find a myth or two busted.

Performing my civic duty, trying to keep you from wrenching your neck looking for Mars when it ain't there... :0)

http://www.snopes.com/science/mars.asp

Dave