ID :
407311
Sat, 05/21/2016 - 08:04
Auther :

Mars orbits close to Earth at month's end

BANGKOK, May 21 (TNA) -- The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) is inviting the public from May 22-31 to gaze at Mars, which would be orbiting the closest distance to the Earth in 11 years. NARIT Deputy Director Dr Saran Poshyachinda said between May 22-31, Mars would start to orbit closer and closer to the Earth until May 31, where the distance would be closest and would be the shortest distance between both planets in more than a decade. He said the public would able to see Mars with the naked eye during the last week of the month, adding that a small telescope would help watchers see the details of Mars more clearly. The deputy director noted that NARIT has planned to organise 4 observation locations on May 22 from 6-10pm in Bangkok at Paragon plaza at Siam Paragon shopping centre, in Chiang Mai at Sirindhorn Observatory of Chiang Mai University, in Nakhon Ratchasima and Chachoengsao, both at each province's Thai National Observatory (TNO). Dr Sarun said an observation location would also be set up for the public on May 31 from 6-10pm., at Chiang Mai's Meya Lifestyle Shopping Centre. He added that the next time that Mars would move closest to Earth is predicted to be on July 31, 2018. (TNA)

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