On Aug. 27, Mars will be approximately 34.65 million miles away from Earth – the closest it’s been in an estimated 60,000 years.
Considered one of the best viewing opportunities since Neanderthal man first looked to the sky, Mars isn’t expected to come any closer to Earth until the year 2729.
In light of this historical event, ETSU’s department of physics and astronomy and the Bays Mountain Astronomy Club (BMAC), which is sponsored by the Bays Mountain Planetarium, will host four “Mars Watch” observation nights.
“The Mars Watch event is a fantastic chance for the average person to see a sight that they might otherwise never get to see and learn about the workings of our solar system,” said Mike Houchins, educational interpreter and planetarium assistant at the Bays Mountain Planetarium. “Even for many astronomers this is a chance to see Mars from Earth-bound telescopes with amazing detail.”
“There’s really nothing scientific to come out of Mars’ close approach,” said Dr. Gary Henson, an assistant professor in the department of physics and astronomy. “It’s mostly a personal experience.”
As the two largest groups of professional and amateur astronomers in the local area, both ETSU’s department of physics and astronomy and BMAC realized that working together would give them a chance to reach more of the public and create easier access to the viewing.
“Since all of us share a common interest, it seemed only natural that the two groups could make better use of our resources if we worked together,” Houchins said.
Both Henson and Houchins pointed out that the last week of August isn’t the only time that Mars will appear larger and brighter in our sky. Mars will dominate the night sky from now until mid-September.
The first two watches will take place at Daniel Boone High School, located in Gray, on Aug. 27-28. Telescopes will be set up near the track for public use between 10 p.m. and midnight.
Henson, Houchins and many amateur astronomers from BMAC will be available to answer the public’s questions.
On Friday and Saturday, Aug. 29-30, other Mars Watches will be held at ETSU’s Harry D. Powell Astronomy Observatory, located on Narrow Lane on the hill behind campus. The observatory will be open from 10 p.m. until midnight.
During each session Dr. Robert Gardner, ETSU professor of Mathematics, will give a short presentation on Mars and current NASA spacecraft missions to the Red Planet.
Other ETSU faculty members and BMAC astronomers will be on hand as well to answer questions and assist the public in viewing Mars.
Visitors to the Mars Watch at Powell Observatory are asked to park on campus in parking lots 13 and 14 on Southwest Avenue, where “Mars Watch Parking” signs will be posted.
Fifteen minutes prior to each session, shuttle vans will begin transporting visitors to the Observatory and will run continuously until the end of the program. However, handicapped parking will be available at the Observatory.
In addition to the four late August Mars Watches, one of Powell Observatory’s regularly scheduled open houses will be dedicated to viewing Mars on Saturday, Sept. 13.
In the event of cloudy skies or rain, the night’s program will be cancelled.

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