I made an observation of Mars on December 13, 2005 (01:45 and 02:15 U.T.) under average seeing conditions (5/10). Detail is still noted over the Martian southern hemisphere as recorded. Elysium was prominent on the CM. I welcome any comments that you may have on my observation.
Date (U.T.): December 13, 2005
Time (U.T.): 01:45 (left image) and 02:15 (right image)
CM: 214.3 (left image) and 221.6 (right image)
Ls: 339.6 (Late Northern Winter/Southern Summer)
De: -19.2, Ds: -8.4, p 0.95, 14.9"
Instrument: 9-inch (23-cm) F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248x, 290x, and 344x
Filters (Wratten): 30 and 38A
Seeing (1-10): 5, Antoniadi (I-V): III
Transparency (1-6): 5
Notes:
01:45 U.T. (Left image, CM 214.3, IL/W30): The South Polar Cap (SPC) was very small and brilliant (10/10). Mare Chronium was dusky to dark (3-4/10) and mottled on the CM. Electris and Eridania were bright (7/10), but no cloud or dust activity was noted at this time. The western (following) tip of Mare Sirenum (4/10) was visible on the preceding limb. Mare Cimmerium was dusky to dark (3-4/10) and mottled. Hesperia was thin and bright (7/10) with dull (5/10) streaks across it. Mare Tyrrhenum was dusky to dark (3-4/10) and mottled towards the following limb. Zephyria and Aeolis appeared shaded to bright (6-7/10). Aethiopis and Aetheria appeared bright (7/10). Elysium was shaded to bright (6-7/10) on the CM towards the North Polar limb with dull (5/10) condensations within it. Phlegra appeared dusky to dark (3-4/10) preceding Elysium. The Hyblaeus Extension appeared dusky to dark (3-4/10) as well following Elysium. Morning limb haze (MLH), evening limb haze (ELH), South Polar Region (SPR), and the North Polar Region (NPR) appeared extremely bright (9/10).
02:15 U.T. (Right image, CM 221.6, W38A): Mare Cimmerium and Mare Tyrrhenum appeared dusky to dull (4-5/10) preceding and following the CM, respectively. Mare Chronium appeared dull (5/10) on the CM. Very bright (8/10) hazes were noted to project from the preceding, Southern, and following limbs over Zephyria, Aethiopis, and Mare Chronium, respectively. Extremely bright (9/10) MLH, ELH. SPR, and NPR were noted as well.
The best of luck in your own imaging and observations of Mars.
Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez
Date (U.T.): December 13, 2005
Time (U.T.): 01:45 (left image) and 02:15 (right image)
CM: 214.3 (left image) and 221.6 (right image)
Ls: 339.6 (Late Northern Winter/Southern Summer)
De: -19.2, Ds: -8.4, p 0.95, 14.9"
Instrument: 9-inch (23-cm) F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248x, 290x, and 344x
Filters (Wratten): 30 and 38A
Seeing (1-10): 5, Antoniadi (I-V): III
Transparency (1-6): 5
Notes:
01:45 U.T. (Left image, CM 214.3, IL/W30): The South Polar Cap (SPC) was very small and brilliant (10/10). Mare Chronium was dusky to dark (3-4/10) and mottled on the CM. Electris and Eridania were bright (7/10), but no cloud or dust activity was noted at this time. The western (following) tip of Mare Sirenum (4/10) was visible on the preceding limb. Mare Cimmerium was dusky to dark (3-4/10) and mottled. Hesperia was thin and bright (7/10) with dull (5/10) streaks across it. Mare Tyrrhenum was dusky to dark (3-4/10) and mottled towards the following limb. Zephyria and Aeolis appeared shaded to bright (6-7/10). Aethiopis and Aetheria appeared bright (7/10). Elysium was shaded to bright (6-7/10) on the CM towards the North Polar limb with dull (5/10) condensations within it. Phlegra appeared dusky to dark (3-4/10) preceding Elysium. The Hyblaeus Extension appeared dusky to dark (3-4/10) as well following Elysium. Morning limb haze (MLH), evening limb haze (ELH), South Polar Region (SPR), and the North Polar Region (NPR) appeared extremely bright (9/10).
02:15 U.T. (Right image, CM 221.6, W38A): Mare Cimmerium and Mare Tyrrhenum appeared dusky to dull (4-5/10) preceding and following the CM, respectively. Mare Chronium appeared dull (5/10) on the CM. Very bright (8/10) hazes were noted to project from the preceding, Southern, and following limbs over Zephyria, Aethiopis, and Mare Chronium, respectively. Extremely bright (9/10) MLH, ELH. SPR, and NPR were noted as well.
The best of luck in your own imaging and observations of Mars.
Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez
Attached Image:
