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Campus wakes early

Austin Kitch

Issue date: 9/4/03 Section: Campus
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It isn't often that campus is busy before sunrise. Then again, it isn't often Earth's nearest neighbor, outside of the moon, passes to within 34.65 million miles, the closest Mars has been to Earth in 60,000 years.

"[Mars] was about 86 times brighter than it normally is," GCCC physics instructor Jaromy Green said.

Approximately 300 people congregated outside the science and math building at

5 a.m. Aug. 27 to take advantage of what Green called "a stellar opportunity," sponsored by GCCC science and math club.

"We didn't expect that many people," Green said. "It was really a good turnout."

Three telescopes provided viewers a closer look at the "red planet." Green said that the telescopes didn't really allow viewers to see any of the features.

"The most prominent thing we could see was the southern ice cap," Green said.

Cheryl Moshier, Garden City, said she came out to see Mars because she thought it would be interesting.

"I thought it would be neat to come out and see," Moshier said.

There were many children who came out with their parents to see the spectacle for themselves, something that they will never see again in their lifetimes. Green said Mars will come close to Earth again in about 300 years.

"I considered this a chance of a lifetime," Green said.

Hot chocolate, coffee and donuts were offered to those who arose in the wee hours to take advantage of the viewing.
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