Mars Previewer II calculation error?Posted By Ron Bee |
Just like every morning that I've observed Mars this year, I looked up the data (like CM, size, magnitude, etc.) using the Mars Previewer II (I downloaded this program in 2001 and doesn't have virus :-). My observation was from 9:58UT - 10:30UT, and it yielded CM=84 - 104. After, I written down the data and the time, it dawned on my that 10d has elapsed but my sketch time was only 1/2 hour. So immediately this raised a red flag to me, knowing that Mars roates about 10d every **one** hour! Shocking!
So I checked with the S&T java applet and sure enough, it calculated the CM to be CM=96-104, which looks a lot more sensible. I also checked with the Meridian program which I don't use that much and it confirms the data from the S&T java applet.
http://skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/planets/javascript/mars.html#
What do you guys think?
Thanks,
Ron B[ee]
So I checked with the S&T java applet and sure enough, it calculated the CM to be CM=96-104, which looks a lot more sensible. I also checked with the Meridian program which I don't use that much and it confirms the data from the S&T java applet.
http://skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/planets/javascript/mars.html#
What do you guys think?
Thanks,
Ron B[ee]
