Buy a telescope this summer

[RecycleMichael]

The planet Mars will come within 34 million miles of Earth this year. That is closer than it has in thousands of years. With a simple 75x telescope (or even some good binoculars) Mars will be as big as a full moon. You will be able to see great detail of the surface of the planet. The night it will be the closest is August 27th, but it will be great viewing for weeks and weeks. 

Where is the closest place that is really dark so I can take my kids?

[TeeDub]

Something tells me these guys would know.

http://www.astrotulsa.com/

Everyone is invited to join us at our observatory for the opportunity to look through different types of telescopes and enjoy a variety of celestial objects. There will be members available to provide guidance from basic constellation spotting to all aspects of the universe. Our observatory features a 14 inch telescope and a classroom. We also have about 1.5 acres of open ground for setting up your own equipment. Families are welcome but children MUST be supervised. For the safety and enjoyment of everyone, please review Star Party Etiquette

[custosnox]

I see this same thing come around every year.  Sorry, but it already happened.

http://www.snopes.com/science/astronomy/brightmars.asp

[RecycleMichael]

Thanks...I should always look at snopes before posting...

[patric]

Not much use for a telescope in Tulsa unless your'e up high looking down.

Giggity, giggity.

[guido911]

I see this same thing come around every year.  Sorry, but it already happened.

http://www.snopes.com/science/astronomy/brightmars.asp

Well that's a bummer, I was going to blame Bush or global warming for this occurrence.

[joiei]

Well that's a bummer, I was going to blame Bush or global warming for this occurrence.

Why do that, Bush didn't have anything to do with it and Global Warming is an environmental occurrence not a Fox News event. 

[rwarn17588]

The planet Mars will come within 34 million miles of Earth this year. That is closer than it has in thousands of years. With a simple 75x telescope (or even some good binoculars) Mars will be as big as a full moon. You will be able to see great detail of the surface of the planet. The night it will be the closest is August 27th, but it will be great viewing for weeks and weeks. 

Where is the closest place that is really dark so I can take my kids?

The best place in the state to stargaze is Kenton. But that's in the far west Panhandle.

I reckon someplace in north Osage County, such as Bigheart or Foraker, would be sufficiently dark enough.

[Conan71]

Global Warming is an environmental occurrence not a Fox News event. 

No, global warming is a political agenda.

[Conan71]

The best place in the state to stargaze is Kenton. But that's in the far west Panhandle.

I reckon someplace in north Osage County, such as Bigheart or Foraker, would be sufficiently dark enough.

Actually out on Oologah or Ft. Gibson Lake you are far enough from light pollution and haze where you can get a good clear look.  Can't argue with Kenton as a great place to gaze either.  Really anywhere on the high plains outside population centers is great.  I pulled off the side of the road near Kit Carson, Colorado one night about midnight and laid down in the bed of my truck for a 1/2 hour or so in total disbelief at how much more of the cosmos you can see outside an urban area.

[custosnox]

There is a conservatory out near claremore somwhere, but I can't say exactly where.  I stumbled on it years ago while I was out driving around aimlessly.

I think the best place I ever stargazed at was back when I lived in SE New Mexico.  Scrubland where the nearest town was miles away, and city's were just make believe things from t.v.  I remember seeing the sky with such clarity that you need photo's from hubble to compare now.

[guido911]

Why do that, Bush didn't have anything to do with it and Global Warming is an environmental occurrence not a Fox News event. 

Take a step back, take a deep breath, and think SARCASM! Everything is either Bush's or global warming's fault. Why not then Mars getting close to earth.

[Ed W]

I've been to Mars.  It's nice.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=MARS&state=PA

[RecycleMichael]

I would invite everybody to come out to a dark place in the middle of nowhere...but then you would all turn into a mob and kill me and hide my body.

I think I will stick to public meetings and TulsaNow happy hours.

[Michael71]

Guido, nice pic & quote!  Made me laugh!