I made an observation of Mars on March 27, 2006 (00:40 and 01:00 U.T.) under good seeing (6-7/10) seeing conditions. Although subtending an apparent diameter of only 5.9 arc-seconds I was able to make some detail over the Martian surface and atmosphere. I welcome any comments that you may have on my observation.
Date (U.T.): March 27, 2006
Time (U.T.): 00:40 (left image) and 01:00 (right image)
CM: 290.2 (left image) and 295.1 (right image)
Ls: 30.7 (Mid-Northern Spring/Southern Autumn)
De: -2.9, Ds: 12.4, p: 0.90, Dia: 5.9"
Instrument: 9-inch (23-cm) F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 271x
Filter: Klee OPS Barlow
Seeing (1-10): 6-7, Antoniadi (I-V) II
Transparency (1-6): 5
Notes:
00:40 U.T. (Left image, CM 290.2, Klee OPS Barlow): Syrtis Major (3-4/10) and Iapygia Viridis (4/10) were visible on the CM. Mare Tyrrhenum (3-4/10) and Syrtis Minor (4/10) were noted towards the preceding limb. Hellas appeared as a shaded to bright (6-7/10), oval feature preceding the CM towards the south-preceding limb. Hellespontus (3-4/10) and Pandorae Fretum (4/10) were visible towards the south-following limb. Sabaeus Sinus (3-4/10) was visible towards the following limb. The North Polar Cap (NPC) was brilliant (10/10) and visible over the northern limb.
01:00 U.T. (Right image, CM 295.1, W38A): Bright to extremely bright (7-8/10) aerosols (clouds?) were visible over Hellas and the preceding limb. The northern, morning (following), southern, and evening (preceding) limbs appeared extremely bright (9/10). The NPC was brilliant (10/10) over the northern limb.
The best of luck imaging and observing the red planet.
Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez
Date (U.T.): March 27, 2006
Time (U.T.): 00:40 (left image) and 01:00 (right image)
CM: 290.2 (left image) and 295.1 (right image)
Ls: 30.7 (Mid-Northern Spring/Southern Autumn)
De: -2.9, Ds: 12.4, p: 0.90, Dia: 5.9"
Instrument: 9-inch (23-cm) F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 271x
Filter: Klee OPS Barlow
Seeing (1-10): 6-7, Antoniadi (I-V) II
Transparency (1-6): 5
Notes:
00:40 U.T. (Left image, CM 290.2, Klee OPS Barlow): Syrtis Major (3-4/10) and Iapygia Viridis (4/10) were visible on the CM. Mare Tyrrhenum (3-4/10) and Syrtis Minor (4/10) were noted towards the preceding limb. Hellas appeared as a shaded to bright (6-7/10), oval feature preceding the CM towards the south-preceding limb. Hellespontus (3-4/10) and Pandorae Fretum (4/10) were visible towards the south-following limb. Sabaeus Sinus (3-4/10) was visible towards the following limb. The North Polar Cap (NPC) was brilliant (10/10) and visible over the northern limb.
01:00 U.T. (Right image, CM 295.1, W38A): Bright to extremely bright (7-8/10) aerosols (clouds?) were visible over Hellas and the preceding limb. The northern, morning (following), southern, and evening (preceding) limbs appeared extremely bright (9/10). The NPC was brilliant (10/10) over the northern limb.
The best of luck imaging and observing the red planet.
Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez
Attached Image:
