I made an observation of Mars on November 17, 2005 (05:00 and 05:45 U.T.) under average to good seeing conditions (5-7/10). Much detail was noted over the southern hemisphere from Solis Lacus to Mare Cimmerium. A bright (7/10) streak was noted along the length of Mars Sirenum (cloud vs. dust?). I welcome any comments that you may have on my observation.
Date (U.T.) November 17, 2005
Time (U.T.): 05:00 (left image) and 05:45 (right image)
CM: 135.8 (left image) and 146.8 (right image)
Ls: 325.4 (Mid-Northern Winter/Southern Summer)
De: -17.0, Ds: -13.8, p: 0.99, 19.02"
Instrument: 9" F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248x and 347x
Filters (Wratten): 30 and 38A
S (1-10): 5-7, Antoniadi (I-V): III-II
Transparency (1-6): 4
Notes:
05:00 U.T. (Left image, CM 135.8, IL/W30): The South Polar Cap (SPC) was brilliant and very small (more readily noticeable during moments of steady seeing). Mare Austale was dusky to dull (4-5/10) and mottled. Solis Lacus appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) over the south-preceding limb. Ambrosia (5/10) and Bathys (5/10) were noted to project from the southern border of Solis Lacus. Geryon (5/10) and Calydon (5/10) were noted to project from it's northern border. Aonius Sinus appeared dusky (4/10) with Phasis (5/10) projecting from it's northern border. Daedalia, Phaethontis, and Electris appeared bright (7/10). Mare Sirenum appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) and mottled following the CM (Caralis Fons (4/10) was noted along it's following-southern border). A bright (7/10) streak was noted within Mare Sirenum along it's east-west length (possibly a cloud or dust?). Araxes was noted as a dull (5/10), diffuse projection over the preceding end of Mare Sirenum. Mare Cimmerium was diffusely visible within the extremely bright (9/10) morning limb haze (MLH). Memnonia and Zephyria appeared bright to very bright (7-8/10) north of Mare Sirenum. Tharsis and Amazonis appeared bright (7/10). Tempe and Arcadia appeared dull to shaded (5-6/10). Olympus Mons appeared as a bright (7/10) circular albedo feature over Tharsis preceding the CM. An extremely bright (9/10) evening limb haze (ELH) and North Polar Haze (NPH) were noted as well.
05:45 U.T. (Right image, CM 146.8, W38A): Solis Lacus, Mare Sirenum and Mare Cimmerium appeared dull (5/10). A very bright to extremely bright (8-9/10) cloud was noted to project from the preceding limb over Tharsis. Bright to very bright (7-8/10) clouds were noted over Memnonia and Zephyria. Extremely bright (9/10) evening limb haze (LH), morning limb haze (MLH), and North Polar Haze (NPH) were noted as well. A very bright (8/10) projection (cloud) from the NPH was noted over Tempe-Arcadia.
The best of luck in your own imaging and observations of Mars.
Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez
Date (U.T.) November 17, 2005
Time (U.T.): 05:00 (left image) and 05:45 (right image)
CM: 135.8 (left image) and 146.8 (right image)
Ls: 325.4 (Mid-Northern Winter/Southern Summer)
De: -17.0, Ds: -13.8, p: 0.99, 19.02"
Instrument: 9" F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248x and 347x
Filters (Wratten): 30 and 38A
S (1-10): 5-7, Antoniadi (I-V): III-II
Transparency (1-6): 4
Notes:
05:00 U.T. (Left image, CM 135.8, IL/W30): The South Polar Cap (SPC) was brilliant and very small (more readily noticeable during moments of steady seeing). Mare Austale was dusky to dull (4-5/10) and mottled. Solis Lacus appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) over the south-preceding limb. Ambrosia (5/10) and Bathys (5/10) were noted to project from the southern border of Solis Lacus. Geryon (5/10) and Calydon (5/10) were noted to project from it's northern border. Aonius Sinus appeared dusky (4/10) with Phasis (5/10) projecting from it's northern border. Daedalia, Phaethontis, and Electris appeared bright (7/10). Mare Sirenum appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) and mottled following the CM (Caralis Fons (4/10) was noted along it's following-southern border). A bright (7/10) streak was noted within Mare Sirenum along it's east-west length (possibly a cloud or dust?). Araxes was noted as a dull (5/10), diffuse projection over the preceding end of Mare Sirenum. Mare Cimmerium was diffusely visible within the extremely bright (9/10) morning limb haze (MLH). Memnonia and Zephyria appeared bright to very bright (7-8/10) north of Mare Sirenum. Tharsis and Amazonis appeared bright (7/10). Tempe and Arcadia appeared dull to shaded (5-6/10). Olympus Mons appeared as a bright (7/10) circular albedo feature over Tharsis preceding the CM. An extremely bright (9/10) evening limb haze (ELH) and North Polar Haze (NPH) were noted as well.
05:45 U.T. (Right image, CM 146.8, W38A): Solis Lacus, Mare Sirenum and Mare Cimmerium appeared dull (5/10). A very bright to extremely bright (8-9/10) cloud was noted to project from the preceding limb over Tharsis. Bright to very bright (7-8/10) clouds were noted over Memnonia and Zephyria. Extremely bright (9/10) evening limb haze (LH), morning limb haze (MLH), and North Polar Haze (NPH) were noted as well. A very bright (8/10) projection (cloud) from the NPH was noted over Tempe-Arcadia.
The best of luck in your own imaging and observations of Mars.
Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez
Attached Image:
