Beware the Mars Hoax

I got an e-mail today that said Mars will make a once-in-our-lifetimes remarkably close approach to Earth at the end of the month. Unfortunately, the info in the e-mail is mostly false. Did you get one? If so here's the scoop:

• "The Red Planet is about to be spectacular." is TRUE
• "Earth is catching up with Mars [for] the closest approach between the two planets in recorded history." is FALSE
• "On August 27th‚… Mars will look as large as the full moon." is FALSE (and should be obvious to anyone who has ever looked at the night sky!)
  
• And finally, "NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN." is FALSE

For details refer to NASA’s article “Beware the Mars Hoax” and the Urban Legends Reference Page's "Mars Spectacular."