Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe NEW YORK, July 8 (UPI) -- The Internet is said to be rife with rumors about Mars and its closeness this fall but one report debunks most of it. One e-mail says the "red planet" will be "spectacular," and space.com agrees with that one. But, not with ones that claim: Advertisement "Earth is catching up with Mars (for) the closest approach between the two planets in recorded history." "On Aug. 27 ... Mars will look as large as the full moon." And finally, "No one alive today will ever see this again." The truth, says space.com, is Earth and Mars are converging for a close encounter this year on Oct. 30, coming within 43 million miles, looking to the naked eye like Mars is a bright red star. The report says if Mars did come close enough to rival the moon, its gravity would alter Earth's orbit and raise terrible tides.
