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RICHARD COFER

VdB 141 Ghost Nebula

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Blue light on Mars! 11/18/07

Started by seventhunders, 11/18/2007 09:53PM
Posted 11/18/2007 09:53PM | Edited 11/18/2007 10:06PM Opening Post
Hi, I was up for two hours waiting for the clouds to break when finally at 3:40 am they did. Wow, a bright pin point of pale blue light in the NPH was rotating into view, I managed to capture it even though seeing was only 3.5/10. The northeast limb of Mars might also be showing the start of a bright dust cloud, although this may be just a highly reflective albedo region. There was also lots of morning haze visible along the limb. Image acquisition (9:40-44 UT). Mars data; Dia.= 13.9", Dist.= .67 a.u., Mag= -1.0, Phase= 94%, CM= 330. I hope one of you guys can get a high resolution image of all this activity, we're socked in up here. Thanks for viewing, Dan grin

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seventhunders's attachment for post 39742
Posted 11/19/2007 04:10AM #1
What a beauty Dan...
I have a silly question on this picture. First I know that Mars has a weak magnetic field, but what are the chances that some of that is some kind of Arora ?
:S
Bill

-----------------------------------------------

Be a Blessing too someone today !
Clear Skys,
Bill - Astro Hillbilly 8)
And Pluto is still a Planet !
Posted 11/19/2007 03:06PM #2
Dan, Could the blue light be some kind of swirling CO2 snowstorm refracting in the light? I am not sure if the martian polar ice is solid or powdery. Your incredible patience really paid for this one. Nice capture!

Regards,
Steve
Posted 11/19/2007 04:55PM | Edited 11/19/2007 04:55PM #3
Hey! I may have captured the same thing Sunday morning at about 6:00 AM CST...my photo is not in the same league as Dan's but it does show the bright spot in the polar cap.

Steve

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Steve OK's attachment for post 118503