I made an observation of Mars on July 18, 2005 (06:50 and 07:15 U.T.) using my 9-inch (23-cm) F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain under average (5-6/10) seeing conditions. The planet presented an impressive amount of detail although only subtending 10.4 arc-seconds. Most notable was the presence of significant cloud (haze) activity over the Electris/Eridania/Ausonia region, especially under blue (Wratten 38) light. I do not believe that dust activity was present over these regions, but instead typical atmospheric phenomena (clouds and haze). I welcome any comments on my observation.
Date (U.T.): July 18, 2005
Time (U.T.): 06:50 (left image) and 07:15 (right image)
CM: 211.9 (left image) and 218.0 (right image)
Ls 252.0, De -20.0, p 0.84, 10.4"
Instrument: 9-inch (23-cm) F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248x and 388x
Filters: Wratten 30 (magenta) and 38 (blue)
Seeing (1-10): 5-6, Antoniadi (I-V): III
Transparency (1-6): 3 (haze present)
Notes:
Left image: An observation of Mars made at 06:50 U.T. under integrated light (IL) and also using a magenta (Wratten 30) filter. The South Polar Cap (SPC) appears brilliant (10/10) surrounded by a dark (3/10) collar comprised of Mare Australe, Thyle I and II, and Mare Chronium. A very dark (2.5/10) albedo feature was noted at the approximate location of Ulyxis Fretum (190*W, -63*). The regions of Electris, Eridania, and Ausonia appeared to be partially obscured by a bright (7/10) haze (water-ice clouds/ low-lying fog?). Mare Cimmerium appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) with it's southern border partially obscured by the bright (7/10) haze. Mare Tyrrhenum and Syrtis Minor also appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) following the CM. Elysium was visible over the north-preceding (Np) limb and appeared to be obscured by a bright (7/10) haze. Cerberus/Pambotis Lacus/Eunostos I (4-5/10) were visible along Elysium's southern border. Zephyria, Aeolis, Aethiopis, and Aetheria appeared bright (7/10) without any detail visible within. An extremely bright (9/10) evening limb haze (ELH), North Polar haze (NPH), and morning limb haze (MLH) was noted as well.
Right image: An observation of Mars made at 07:15 U.T. using a Wratten 38 (blue) filter. A wedge-shaped bright (7/10) was noted to extend between Electris, Eridania, and Ausonia (water-ice clouds/surface fog?). A bright cloud (7/10) was noted over Elysium. The evening limb haze (ELH), North Polar haze (NPH), and morning limb haze (MLH) appeared extremely bright (9/10). The South Polar Cap (SPC) region appeared extremely bright (9/10) as well.
The best of luck in your own imaging and observations of the red planet.
Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez
P.S. I apologize for being absent from this excellent forum for some time. My medical duties have prevented me from even looking up.
Date (U.T.): July 18, 2005
Time (U.T.): 06:50 (left image) and 07:15 (right image)
CM: 211.9 (left image) and 218.0 (right image)
Ls 252.0, De -20.0, p 0.84, 10.4"
Instrument: 9-inch (23-cm) F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248x and 388x
Filters: Wratten 30 (magenta) and 38 (blue)
Seeing (1-10): 5-6, Antoniadi (I-V): III
Transparency (1-6): 3 (haze present)
Notes:
Left image: An observation of Mars made at 06:50 U.T. under integrated light (IL) and also using a magenta (Wratten 30) filter. The South Polar Cap (SPC) appears brilliant (10/10) surrounded by a dark (3/10) collar comprised of Mare Australe, Thyle I and II, and Mare Chronium. A very dark (2.5/10) albedo feature was noted at the approximate location of Ulyxis Fretum (190*W, -63*). The regions of Electris, Eridania, and Ausonia appeared to be partially obscured by a bright (7/10) haze (water-ice clouds/ low-lying fog?). Mare Cimmerium appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) with it's southern border partially obscured by the bright (7/10) haze. Mare Tyrrhenum and Syrtis Minor also appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) following the CM. Elysium was visible over the north-preceding (Np) limb and appeared to be obscured by a bright (7/10) haze. Cerberus/Pambotis Lacus/Eunostos I (4-5/10) were visible along Elysium's southern border. Zephyria, Aeolis, Aethiopis, and Aetheria appeared bright (7/10) without any detail visible within. An extremely bright (9/10) evening limb haze (ELH), North Polar haze (NPH), and morning limb haze (MLH) was noted as well.
Right image: An observation of Mars made at 07:15 U.T. using a Wratten 38 (blue) filter. A wedge-shaped bright (7/10) was noted to extend between Electris, Eridania, and Ausonia (water-ice clouds/surface fog?). A bright cloud (7/10) was noted over Elysium. The evening limb haze (ELH), North Polar haze (NPH), and morning limb haze (MLH) appeared extremely bright (9/10). The South Polar Cap (SPC) region appeared extremely bright (9/10) as well.
The best of luck in your own imaging and observations of the red planet.
Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez
P.S. I apologize for being absent from this excellent forum for some time. My medical duties have prevented me from even looking up.
Attached Image:
