Reports that Mars will be closer to Earth Monday night than at virtually any other time are incorrect, according to NASA and private astronomers. The reports, circulated in e-mail chain letters, claim Earth will see “two moons on 27 August.”

AP

Sorry to break it to you, but you won't be seeing double when you look at the moon.

It's a once-in-a-lifetime event, according to the e-mails that crop up every August.

If it’s true, it would be an end-of-a-lifetime event instead, says Dr. David Toot, professor of physics and director of the Stull Observatory at Alfred University.

The rumor about Mars being so close to earth that it appears “as large as the full moon,” has been “circulating for a few years now,” said Toot. “It is based on a partial truth about Mars” about four or five years ago. “At that point, we were extra close to Mars,” and it appeared to be very bright.

“However, it will never look as big as the moon,” said Toot, adding “If it does, I’ll have to decide between looking at it – or hiding in the deepest cave on Earth because it will be very bad news for life on Earth.”

The tidal influences alone, should Mars ever come that close, “would pretty much wreck the place, and it means we would be likely to collide with it,” said Toot.

The respected urban legend debunker Snopes.Com said the bogus e-mails began appearing a number of years ago.

In July 2005, NASA posted a Web page debunking the reports.
There is some good news for moongazers. There will be a total lunar eclipse early Tuesday.