Posts Made By: Carlos E. Hernandez

I have made many observations of the Sun, at several wavelengths, in my lifetime but this is my first serious observation of the solar surface. This observation was made on February 13, 2005 at 20:15 U.T. using a friend's (Michael Palermiti) excellent 60mm Zeis Apo Solar Telescope (employing a Coronado Solarmax filter). The view was incredible in Hydrogen-alpha as two impressive prominences (one recorded here) and a large sunspot group (AR 735) were noted. I hope that my observation does this subject some justice. I welcome any comments that you may have on my observation.

The best of luck in your own observations of the Sun, Moon, and planets.

Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez

I made an observation of the planet Mercury on March 12, 2005 at 23:40 U.T. using a 9-inch F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain. I was surprised to detect a faint albedo feature (Admeti Vallis?) on the terminator over the northern half of the planet. This feature was glimpsed only when the seeing briefly steadied. The apparent diameter of the planet was 7.4 arc-seconds. I welcome any comments on my observation.

Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez

I made an observation of Jupiter on March 13, 2005 at 04:00 U.T. using a 9-inch F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain under average seeing conditions (5-6/10). The Great Red Spot (GRS) was noted on the preceding limb. Complex bright (7/10) rift activity was noted following the GRS. The South Temperate Belt (STB) was prominent following the CM. A bright (7/10) rift system was noted to be bisecting the North Equatorial Belt (NEB). The North Temperate Belt (NTB) was prominent on the CM. I welcome any comments on my observation.

Regards,
Carlos

I made an observation of Jupiter on April 17, 2005 at 04:40 U.T. using a 9-inch F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain. Much detail was noted over the disk, especially the NEB and SEB. Io and Callisto were visible preceding and following the planet, respectively. I welcome any comments on my observation.

Date (U.T.): April 17, 2005
Time (U.T.): 04:40
L1 060.7, L2 053.6, L3 090.6
Instrument: 9-inch F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248x
Filters: None (IL)
Seeing (1-10): 5-6, Antoniadi (I-V): III
Transparency (1-6): 5

Notes:
South Polar Region (SPR): Appears dark to dusky (3-4/10) and mottled.
South Temperate Zone (STZ): Appears bright (7/10) and thin.
South Temperate Belt (STB): Appears dark to dusky (3-4/10) with an irregular northern border. The following half appears deviated towards the south.
South Tropical Zone (STrZ): Appears bright (7/10) without and other detail noted within.
South Equatorial Belt (SEB): Appears dark to dusky (3-4/10) with an bright (7/10), irregular zone over it's mid-section.
Equatorial Zone (EZ): Appears bright (7/10) with dusky to dull (4-5/10) bands over the middle of the zone.
North Equatorial Belt (NEB): Appears dark to dusky (3-4/10) and mottled. A bright (7/10) rift is noted originating over the southern border of the preceding half and extending north and then diverting towards the following half (just within the northern border). Dark (3/10) blue festoons were noted along the southern border (NEB-S).
North Temperate Belt (NTB): Appears dark (3/10) and thin.
North Temperate Zone (NTZ): Appears bright (7/10) and thin.
North Polar Region (NPR): Appears dark to dull (3-5/10) and mottled.

Io (I) appears preceding the planet and Callisto (IV) following and north of the planet.

The best of luck in your own observations and imaging of the planets.

Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez

I made an observation of Jupiter on April 23, 2005 at 05:00 U.T. using a 9-inch F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain. Much detail was noted over the disk, especially the NEB and SEB. Europa (II) was visible adjacent to the preceding limb at the approximate latitude of the South Tropical Zone (STrZ). I welcome any comments on my observation.

Date (U.T.): April 23, 2005
Time (U.T.): 05:00
L1 303.8, L2 247.9, L3 286.5
Instrument: 9-inch F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 172x and 248x
Filters: None (IL)
Seeing (1-10): 5-7, Antoniadi (I-V): III-II
Transparency (1-6): 4

Notes:
South Polar Region (SPR): Appears dark to dusky (3-4/10) and mottled.
South Temperate Zone (STZ): Appears bright (7/10) and thin.
South Temperate Belt (STB): Appears dark to dusky (3-4/10) with an irregular northern border. No ovals were noted within it at this time.
South Tropical Zone (STrZ): Appears bright (7/10) without any other detail noted within.
South Equatorial Belt (SEB): Appears dark to dusky (3-4/10) with an bright (7/10), irregular zone over it's mid-section. The following half of the northern component of the SEB (SEB-N) appears dark (3/10) compared to a dusky to dull (4-5/10) preceding half.
Equatorial Zone (EZ): Appears bright (7/10) with dusky to dull (4-5/10) bands (extending from NEB-S blue festoons) over the middle of the zone.
North Equatorial Belt (NEB): Appears dark to dusky (3-4/10) and mottled. A bright to very bright (7-8/10) rift is noted towards the following limb extending north towards a very bright (8/10) spot which continues as a bright (7/10) band towards the following limb. Dark (3/10) blue festoons were noted along the southern border (NEB-S).
North Tropical Zone (NTrZ): Appears bright (7/10) without any detail visible within.
North Temperate Belt (NTB): Appears dark (3/10) and broad.
North Temperate Zone (NTZ): Appears bright (7/10) and thin.
North Polar Region (NPR): Appears dark to dull (3-5/10) and mottled.

Europa (II) appears over the preceding limb at the approximate latitude of the STrZ which will soon be occulted by Jupiter.

The best of luck in your own observations and imaging of the planets.

Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez

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.

I made a pair of observation of Mars on August 21, 2005 (06:00 (IL/W35) and 06:40 U.T. (W38)) which showed interesting detail over the martian surface and atmosphere. The South Polar Cap (SPC) was prominent. The region between Mare Cimmerium and Syrtis Major was complex (alternating light and dark patches). Hellas was extremely bright (9/10) and prominent. I welcome any comments on my observations.

Date (U.T.): August 21, 2005
CM: 231.9 (left), 241.6 (right)
Ls 273.0 (Early Northern Winter/Southern Summer)
De -14.3, Dia. 13.0", p 0.86
Instrument: 9-inch (23-cm) F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248x and 344x
Filters (Wratten): 35 (magenta) and 38 (blue)
Seeing (1-10): 6-7, Antoniadi (I-V): III-II
Transparency (1-6): 4

Notes:
Left Image (06:00 U.T., IL/W35): The South Polar Cap (SPC) appeared brilliant (10/10) and prominent. No detail was noted within the SPC. Mare Chronium (3-4/10) was visible north and surrounding the SPC. Simois (4-5/10) was visible extending between the southern border of Mare Cimmerium and Mare Chronium, bisecting Phaethontis (7/10) and Electris (7/10). Eridania (7/10) was visible as well. Mare Cimmerium (3-4/10) was visibly extending from the south-preceding limb and following the CM. A bright (7/10), circular albedo feature (Atalantes Depresio?) was noted over the southern border of Mare Cimmerium adjacent to Hesperia (7-8/10). The diffuse (5/10) albedo feature "Valhalla" was noted to be north and parallel to Mare Cimmerium. Mare Tyrrhenum (3-4/10) and Syrtis Minor (3/10) were prominent following the CM. The region appeared "speckled" during brief moments of steady seeing. Mare Hadriacum (3/10) was noted along the preceding border of Hellas (9/10). Syrtis Major (3-4/10) was noted as a "wedge" along the following limb. Iapygia Viridis (3/10) was visible towards the following limb south of Syrtis Major. Aeolis, Aethiopis, and Aetheria were bright (7/10) with little detail visible. Cerberus (5/10) was visible as a thin wedge south of the extremely bright (9/10) North Polar Hood (NPH). Libya (7-8/10) appeared to be partially obscured by haze. The Hyblaeus Extension (?, 3-/4/10) was visibly partially obscured by the NPH. A thin, extremely bright (9/10) morning limb haze (MLH) was visible. A more prominent (9/10) evening limb haze (ELH) was visible as well.

Right Image (06:40 U.T., W38): The South Polar Cap (SPC) was brilliant (10/10). Hellas was extremely bright (9/10) and appeared to have a thin, bright to very bright (7-8/10) projection extending from it's preceding border then across Eridania and Electris and connecting to the extremely bright MLH (possible mixture of ground fog and water-ice clouds?). A very bright to extremely bright (8-9/10) cloud was visibly projecting over Elysium. The North Polar Hood (NPH) was extremely bright (9/10) as well. Mare Chronium, Mare Cimmerium, Mare Tyrrhenum, Syrtis Minor, and Syrtis Major were diffusely visible using the blue (W38) filter.

The best of luck in your own imaging and observations of the red planet.

Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez

I made an observation of Mars on September 14, 2005 (06:30 U.T. (IL/W30) and 06:50 U.T. (W38)) under average to good seeing conditions (5-6/10, moments of 7/10). I noted an impressive amount of detail extending between Sinus Sabaeus and Solis Lacus (on the following limb). Mare Erythraeum appeared very complex and mottled. I welcome any comments on my observations.

Date (U. T.): September 14, 2005
Time (U.T.): 06:30 (left image) and 06:50 (right image)
CM: 012.7 (left image) and 017.5 (right image)
Ls 288.0 (Early Northern Winter/Southern Summer)
De -11.3, Diameter 15.7", Phase (p) 0.89
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 (moments of 7), Antoniadi (I-V): III

Notes:
06:30 U.T (Left image, IL and W30): The South Polar Cap (SPC) appears small, but brilliant (10/10) surrounded by a dark (3/10) collar (Mare Oceanidum?). Hellespontus appears dark (3/10) along the south-preceding limb. Noachis appears shaded to bright (6-7/10). Chalce (?) appears as a dusky (4/10) wedge extending into Noachis. Pandorae Fretum appears dark to dusky (3-4/10) south of Sabaeus Sinus (3/10) and Meridiani Sinus (3/10) which are separated by a shaded to bright (6-7/10) Deucalionis Regio. Brangaena appears a thin, dark (3/10), curvilinear projection from the north-following border of Meridiani Sinus. Margaritifer Sinus appears dark (3/10) and wedge-shaped on the CM. Aram appears bright (7/10) between Meridiani Sinus and Margaritifer Sinus. Oxia Palus appears as an elliptical, dusky (4/10) albedo feature north of the tip of Margaritifer Sinus. Mare Erythraeum appears complex and mottled (3-6/10) following the CM. Aurorae Sinus appears dark (3/10) and wedge-shaped towards the following limb. The northern border of Mare Erythraeum appears complex with thin, dusky to dull (4-5/10) projections extending into Chryse-Xanthe (7/10). Solis Lacus appears dark (3/10) and foreshortened along the following limb. Niliacus Lacus appears as a dark to dusky (3-4/10) wedge partially obscured by an extremely bright (9/10) North Polar Hood (NPH). Extremely bright (9/10) morning and evening limb hazes (MLH and ELH) are noted.

06:50 U.T. (Right image, W38): The South Polar Cap (SPC) appears small and brilliant (10/10). Pandorae Fretum, Sabaeus Sinus, Meridiani Sinus, Margaritifier Sinus, Mare Erythraeum, and Solis Lacus are visible as dusky to dull (4-5/10) albedo features towards the center of the disk. Aram appears bright (7/10, possible water-ice clouds?). A bright to very bright (7-8/10) cloud appears to extend between Eden and Tharsis over Chryse-Xanthe. Niliacus Lacus is visible as dull (5/10) wedge south of an extremely bright (9/10) North Polar Hood (NPH). Extremely bright (9/10) morning limb haze (MLH) and evening limb haze (ELH) is noted.

The best of luck imaging and observing the red planet as it approaches closer to Earth.

Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez

I made observations of Mars on September 28, 2005 (06:30 U.T. (IL/W30) and 06:50 U.T. (W38)) under average seeing conditions (5-6/10). Brief moments of steady seeing (7/10) allowed me to note much detail over the Martian disk, especially over the southern hemisphere. I welcome any comments that you may have on my observations.

Date (U.T.): September 28, 2005
Time (U.T.): 06:30 (left image) and 06:50 (right image)
CM: 243.0 (left image) and 247.8 (right image)
Ls 296.5, De -10.5, Ds -22.0, Dia. 17.5", p 0.93
Instrument: 9-inch (23-cm) F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248x and 344x
Filters (Wratten): 30 (magenta) and 38 (blue)
Seeing (1-10): 5-6 (moments of 7), Antoniadi (I-V): III
Transparency (1-6): 3-4 (hazy)

Notes:
06:30 U.T. (Left image, IL/W30): The South Polar Cap (SPC) appeared very small but brilliant (10/10) and surrounded by a dark (3/10) collar (Mare Australe). Mare Cimmerium was prominent (3-4/10) and mottled preceding the CM with Tritonis Sinus on the CM itself. A section of "Valhalla" was visible (5/10) to the north of Mare Cimmerium towards the preceding limb. Scamander was visible along the southern border of Mare Cimmerium (it's base (Scamandri Sinus) was darker (3/10) compared to the rest of the feature (4-5/10)). Electris, Eridania, and Ausonia appeared shaded to bright (6-7/10) and finely mottled. Mare Chronium appeared dusky (4/10) along the CM towards the south. Hesperia appeared as a bright to very bright (7-8/10) angled wedge on the CM between Mare Cimmerium and Mare Tyrrhenum (3-4/10). Syrtis Minor was visible as a dark (3/10) wedge following the CM. Mare Hadriacum was visible as a dusky to dark (3-4/10) eastern (preceding) border of a very bright to brilliant (8-9/10) Hellas. Iapygia Viridis was visible (4/10) adjacent to an extremely bright (9/10) morning limb haze (MLH). Syrtis Major appeared as a dark (3/10) wedge adjacent to the MLH. Moeris Lacus (4-5/10) was visible projecting from the preceding (eastern) border of Syrtis Major. Libya appeared very bright (8/10) possibly due to clouds or haze. Aeolis, Aethiopis, and Aetheria appeared bright (7/10). Elysium was very bright to extremely bright (8-9/10) along the north-preceding limb. Pambotis Lacus (3/10), Eunostos (4/10), and the Hyblaeus Extension (3-4/10) were visible along the following border of Elysium. Nodus Alcyonius was visible as a dark (3/10) oval following the CM. Utopia was partially visible (4/10) south an extremely bright (9/10) North Polar Hood (NPH). An extremely bright (9/10) evening limb haze (ELH) was visible as well.

06:50 U.T. (Right image, Wratten 38): The South Polar Cap (SPC) appeared brilliant (10/10). Mare Cimmerium and Mare Tyrrhenum were visibly dull (5/10) with little other detail towards the center of the disk. Syrtis Major was visible as a dull (5/10) projection towards the following limb. Libya appeared very bright (8/10). Hesperia appeared as a thin, bright (7/10) wedge just preceding the CM. Hellas appeared very bright to extremely bright (8-9/10) with very bright (8/10) projections extending from it's preceding border over Ausonia. Extremely bright (9/10) morning and evening limb hazes (MLH and ELH) were visible. the North Polar Hood (NPH) appeared extremely bright (9/10) as well.

The best of luck in your own observations and imaging of Mars.

Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez

I made a pair of observations of Mars on October 7, 2005 (04:20 and 05:30 U.T.) under steady (6-7/10) seeing conditions. The amount of detail that was visible made it difficult to render it all during the session, especially over the southern hemisphere. I welcome any comments that you may have on my observations.

Date (U.T.): October 7, 2005
Time (U.T.): 04:20 (left image) and 05:30 (right image)
CM: 129.4 (left image) and 146.4 (right image)
Ls: 301.8 (Mid-Northern Winter/Southern Summer)
De -10.8, Ds -20.9, p 0.95, 18.6"
Instrument: 9" F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248x and 344x
Filters (Wratten): 30 and 38
Seeing (1-10): 6-7, Antoniadi (I-V): II
Transparency (1-6): 3 (hazy)

Notes:
04:20 U.T. (Left image, IL/W30): The South Polar Cap (SPC) was very small and brilliant (10/10). Mare Australe appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) and mottled. Bosporos Gemmatus, Aonius Sinus, and Palinuri Fretum appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) and irregular over certain segments. Thaumasia, Daedalia, and Phaethontis appeared bright (7/10). Solis Lacus appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) and elongated north-south towards the preceding limb. Dusky (4/10) projections were noted to extend from it's north-preceding border (Geryon) and southern border (Ambrosia and Bathys). A dusky (4/10) and partially obscured (haze) Tithonius Lacus was visible north of Solis Lacus. Thaumasia (northern portion) and Ophir appeared very bright (8/10, most likely due to water vapor/haze). Phasis appeared as thin, dark (3/10) finger-like projection (northward) from Aonius Sinus. Mare Sirenum was dark to dusky (3-4/10) following the CM and appeared to contain mottling within it, especially during moments of very steady seeing. Araxes (4-5/10) was visibly extending from the preceding tip of Mare Sirenum. A very bright (8/10) circular albedo feature was noted in the region of Phoenicis Lacus at the eastern (preceding) tip of Araxes (Lux?). The eastern (preceding) section of "Valhalla" was noted north of Mare Sirenum over Memnonia (7/10). The eastern (preceding) tip of Mare Cimmerium was visible (4/10) on the following limb. The following (western) border of Mare Acidalium was visible (5/10) along the preceding limb partially obscured by a very bright to extremely bright (8-9/10) evening limb haze (ELH, 9/10). An orographic (mountain-associated) cloud was visible over the region of Olympus Mons (especially noted using the Wratten 30 (magenta) filter). A small, thin and dusky (4/10) albedo feature was noted north of this cloud. I do not believe that I was observing the actual shadow of Olympus Mons (especially so close to the CM), but rather the shadow (?) of the orographic cloud instead. Tharsis and Amazonis appeared shaded to bright (6-7/10) and mottled (especially Amazonis). A very bright to extremely bright (8-9/10) North Polar Hood (NPH) was visible (inconsistent in density as dusky (4/10) albedo features were visible through portions of it). An extremely bright (9/10) morning limb haze (MLH) was visible.

05:30 U.T. (Right image, W38): The South Polar Cap (SPC) appeared very small and brilliant (10/10). Extremely bright (9/10) morning limb haze (MLH), evening limb haze (ELH), and North Polar Hood (NPH) were visible. The eastern (preceding) section of Tharsis was very bright (8/10). Mare Sirenum (5/10) appeared to be bordered by bright to very bright (7-8/10) clouds/haze. The Olympus Mons orographic cloud appeared very bright (8/10) on the CM.

The best of luck in your own imaging and observations of Mars.

Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez