For Immediate Release
August 11, 2003
Contact: John Hammond, Director of Public Relations, 210/733-2147, jhammond@accd.edu
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SAC & S.A. Astronomical Association
Invite Public
to View Mars During Historic Proximity |
| The San Antonio College Scobee Planetarium, in conjunction
with the San Antonio Astronomical Association, will host two free Mars Observing
Sessions at the San Antonio College Observatory and adjacent parking lot
on Wednesday, August 27 and Friday, August 29, 10 p.m. - midnight. "On August 27, Mars will be the closest to Earth and the brightest it has been in the sky for 60,000 years," said Scobee Planetarium Coordinator Bryan Snow. He added, "At no time in recorded history has Mars appeared as large and as bright. Views through a telescope will easily show the polar ice cap and the dark surface markings." Snow said that although the Observatory and about a dozen surrounding telescopes will be available on August 27 and 29 from 10 p.m. - midnight, Mars will not rise above surrounding buildings until around 10:30 p.m. The Scobee Planetarium, with free parking, is located one block east of San Pedro Ave. off of W. Park. If the weather is cloudy or raining, the observing session that evening will be cancelled. For more information, call Scobee Planetarium at 733-2910. |
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1300 San Pedro Ave. • San Antonio, Texas • 78212-4299 • (210) 733-2147 |