What's going on in Hellas?

Has anyone noticed a bright area in the northern part of Hellas lately? For the first time in a week or so I observed Mars last friday night, and Hellas appeared very bright. The picture I took shows a brightening in the northern portion (although it's hard to tell as the image scale is small because I accidentally had my focal reducer in place).

Frost? Dust? It would be nice to see a dust storm develop now that we've all got our detailed surface viewing in!

Bruce.

Attached Image:

Hello there Bruce,

Nicely taken image!

I believe it's perhaps frost as it's very bright with the #80A filter. I had got a very distinct white (without filter) view of Hellas (first time this apparition) just last night.
http://members.cox.net/ronby/Solar-System/Mars-111703-TV102.htm

Ron B[ee]

Bruce,

Congratulations on an excellent image of Mars. You are capturing a good amount for the current apparent diameter (13"). Please keep at it as fewer people are imaging Mars now.

The increased brightening of Hellas is typical for this time of the Martian year (late Southern Summer) during which increased water vapor within the huge basin collects over different areas or even the entire feature (noted especially in blue (Wratten 80A or 38) light). Dust activity may be noted as well within the Hellas basin at this time, but this does not always imply an iminent dust storm (brighter in red (W23A or 25) light). This area bears monitoring in the future as it is a common site for dust storm activity.

The best of luck imaging.

Carlos

Well, I got to take a longer, more magnified picture thursday night to get a little more detail on the Hellas area. The brighter area is still visible, but not nearly as dramatic. Either it changed, or (more likely) the area appears especially bright when near the limb.

Assuming it's frost, like Ron suggested, I'd imagine it's reflecting the sun more from that angle causing the bright effect.

Bruce.

Attached Image: