Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Europe Goes To Venus; Mars Comes to Us

Posted by michael on from the frequent-flyer-miles dept.

JamesO writes "The BBC says that the ESA is going to Venus, reusing the Mars Express design. Also here. Launch seems to be expected in 2005." And knownsense writes "Space.com is reporting that Mars is coming to closer to Earth. It will be closer by around 191 million miles and will end up 85 times brighter about August next year. This apparently is the first time it's been this close since the Neanderthals."

8 of 172 comments (clear)

  1. Metrics by trans_err · · Score: 5, Funny
    Remember NASA miles not kilometers!

    ps. 1 mile = 1.6 km

    --

    transmission_err

  2. Faked Venus Landings? by malarkey · · Score: 5, Funny

    The US doesn't have any faked landing of Venus that we're covering up, I hope. If that's the case, Venus express will never make it.

  3. Holst anyone? by T-Kir · · Score: 5, Funny

    appear more than six times larger and shine some 85 times brighter than it appears now...

    Does that mean we can play Holst's "The Planets" 6 times louder and have a valid reason for when the neighbours complain?

    --
    Are you local? There's nothing for you here!
  4. "85 times brighter"? by I-man · · Score: 5, Funny

    Is it just me or does that figure seem a little high?

    "Auggh, my eyes! Damn you, Mars, damn you right to hell!"

  5. Why indeed... by T-Kir · · Score: 5, Funny

    [joke]

    Well it must be because NASA are waiting for the current schlock of Hollywood movies to wrap, so they can hire some of the biggest sound stages ;)

    [/joke]

    --
    Are you local? There's nothing for you here!
  6. Correction by Artifex · · Score: 4, Funny

    Actually, it got much closer in 1951...

    Seriously, though, I hope NASA and ESA and the Chinese and private firms have planned well in advance to take advantage of this situation.

    --
    Get off my launchpad!
  7. The Neanderthals by Liquidity · · Score: 5, Funny
    "This apparently is the first time it's been this close since the Neanderthals"

    Yeah, and look what happened to them!

  8. Oh sure, it's just mars, RIIIIIIGHT! by Gldm · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Hey! That looks like a giant flaming meteor headed straight for earth!"

    "No no, that's just mars. Mars is supposed to be extra bright this year. See how red it is?"

    "Are you sure? It looks like a life-exterminating meteor to me."

    "Nope, just mars. Definately mars. Nothing to worry about here. By the way, we'll be heading off to venus for awhile."

    "Venus? Why? What's over there?"

    "Oh nothing, nothing. Incredibly boring place actually, just clouds and all. Don't worry, the earth is perfectly safe, we'll be back later."

    "Are you sure about that whole not being a meteor thing?"

    "Of course. Got to be going now, want to have a good view."

    "View?"

    "Er I meant I'll be seeing you. After I'm back... from venus.... later."

    --

    Introducing the new Occam Fusion! Now with sqrt(-1) fewer blades!