i don't know if this is true or not but if it is it's gonna be cool

The Red Planet is about to be spectacular!
>
>This month and next, Earth is catching up with Mars in an encounter
>that
>
>will culminate in the closest approach between the two planets in
>recorded history. The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287.
>Due to the way Jupiter's gravity tugs on Mars and perturbs its orbit,
>astronomers can only be certain that Mars has not come this close to
>Earth in the Last 5,000 years, but it may be as long as 60,000 years
>before it happens again.
>
>The encounter will culminate on August 27th when Mars comes to within
>34,649,589 miles of Earth and will be (next to the moon) the brightest
>object in the night sky. It will attain a magnitude of - 2.9 and will
>appear 25.11 arc seconds wide. At a modest 75-power magnification
>
>
>Mars will look as large as the full moon to the naked eye .
>Mars will be easy to spot. At the
>beginning of August it will rise in the east at 10p.m.
>and reach its azimuth at about 3 a.m.
>
>By the end of August when the two planets are closest, Mars will rise
>at nightfall and reach its highest point in the sky at 12:30a.m. That's
>pretty convenient to see something that no human being has seen in
>recorded history. So, mark your calendar at the beginning of August to
>see Mars grow progressively brighter and brighter throughout the month.
>Share this with your children and grandchildren.
>
>NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN

hmmm

we'll find out next month if it's true or not.