TUSCON, AZ - If you missed viewing the recent phenomenon where Mars appeared the same size as the Moon, you'll have another opportunity next month, astronomers say. While it's true that Mars will not pass as closely as it did for another 2300 years, next month the Moon
will be further away than ever before. Although tinier, both bodies will again appear to be the same size.
"It's quite a rare occurrence." said Dr. Lloyd Harbinger, professor of Relative Astronomy at Howyflyl University. "The chances that Mars would make an extremely close pass within a month of the Moon being historically far away are astronomical." Generally,
Harbinger explained, the Moon has been moving away from the Earth since it formed 4 billion years ago. But due to eccentricities in its orbit, the maximum distance from the earth is only eclipsed every 1000 years or so.
Amateur astronomers are delighted to have a second chance to view the 'twin moon' phenomenon. "I hope I get a better look this time." said Henry Fullman, president of the local Stargazers chapter. "Last time they said that Mars was going to look as big as
the full moon. It was kind of cloudy, but it didn't look that big at all. Hopefully we'll have better weather for the tiny Moon."
Harbinger says that not only will the Moon continue to get tinier, it will eventually settle over one spot on Earth. "As it gets further away, it's also slowing down." he said. "It's impossible to predict where it will stop, but that place will have a
monopoly on the eclipse business."
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