Viewing Mars as it Nears Earth in August

August in Tennessee has always been a special time for Stargazers; it offers some of the best weather and clearest skies to enable viewing the celestial wonders and shooting stars.

In August of (2003) it offered an added bonus; Mars was closer to Earth than it had been in over tens of thousands of years. Mars was at its closest point to Earth on August 27th,2003 but the entire month of August offered everyone plenty of chances to get a great view of the Red Planet. Read more about Mars in a well written 2003 Article from About.com Space Guide:"Mars Closest To Earth in 50,000 Years" and about the "Mars Closest to Earth Email. Is it true?"

"Click Here for Current Updates and Viewing Tips on Mars" from NASA.

Local Observatories, Astronomy Groups, and Metro Parks offered plenty of opportunities to view this special occasion and most were free! From sky tours, to Lectures, to Free Views through some of the most powerful telescopes in the Middle Tennessee, everyone found the perfect venue to experience this rare occasion to learn more about Mars. Here is a listing of some of the Astronomer Adventures set that occured in the month of August, 2003:

• Dyer Observatory, located in Brentwood, is hosting a month-long focus on Mars; in anticipation of the Red Planet's closest approach to earth .The observatory will be open until 1:00 a.m. on public nights in August for viewing of Mars. In addition, every Tuesday, from noon to 1:00 p.m. Dyer Observatory also hosts "Talk with an Astronomer." An astronomer will be available to answer questions ranging from the very basic to the very complex. No reservations are required, and the program is free. The Dyer Observatory offers many different programs for individuals and groups, year round for those interested in the stars.
  
  
  • August 14th, 2003 Exploration of Mars
    8:00pm-1:00am (public night)
  
  
  • August 22nd Life on Mars
    8:00pm-1:00am (public night)
  
  
  • August 26th, 2003 Mars Viewing
    11:00pm-3:00am (special viewing)
  
  
  
• Sudekum Planetarium, located at the Cumberland Science Center, in Nashville, offers "A Summer of Mars" Sudekum Planetarium also offers other programs surrounding Astronomy including "Skies Over Nashville," a live tour of the night sky, every Saturday at 12:00 pm. This is the perfect chance for the beginning Astronomer to ask questions about the stars, constellations, and planets. Check out their Schedule http://www.sudekumplanetarium.com/schedule/2003-08.shtml for more weekly Stargazing information and events that include:
  
  
  • MarsQuest: Examines perceptions of the Red Planet.
  
  
  • Explorers of the ISS: International Space Station Tour.
  
  
  • Skies over Nashville: Interactive tour of the heavens.
  
  
  
• Warner Nature Park, located in Nashville, at 7311 Highway 100, offers great programs on the nature year round. This summer they are offering a host of events surrounding Astronomy and the Stars including the Summer Star Party and Heavenly Bodies. Most of these events and programs are free and open to the public, although prior registration is required. For More Information call 615-352-6299.
  
  
  • August 23rd, 2003 Summer Star Party
    8:00pm-11:00pm
  
  
  
• Longhunter State Park located at 2910 Hobson Pike in Hermitage is always a great place for Stargazing. A Star Party will also be offered there this year in the Visitor's Center.
  
  
  • August 16th, 2003 Summer Star Party
    9:30pm-11:30pm
  
  
  

Find out what items you need to bring for Stargazing at a Summer Star Party. Here


For Local Astronomy Organizations in the Nashville Area
See Page 2

For Observatories in Tennessee See Page 3