Mars Images — MarsWatch 2005
Tuesday, 01st of November 2005
MARS DRAWING: 1 November 01, 2005, 0700 - 0800 UT, CM 316 - 321
J.D.Beish, Lake Placid, FL 16-in (41cm) f/6.9 Newtonian, 500-1005x
Seeing = 8 - 9. Transparency 6, Altitude 69 deg. T=22.5 C
BC = 2+
NOTES: Dust storm raging. Dusty haze over Hellas, Hellespontus, Noachis, Deuteronilus, Sabaeus Sinus, bright dust clouds over much of he morning limb from Meridiani Sinus to Margaritifer Sinus, south and north into Chryse. Nice dust storm, reminds me of the 1990 October or November dust storm that never made it to the big time. Knee hurst, to the hot tub and bed!
Sketch of Mars, November 01 2005 / 22.00 UT
Meade ETX 105 Mak with Vixen Zoom 24-8 @ x180
With orange filter
Seeing 2.5 / 5 — Trans. 3.5 / 5
Rony De Laet, Bekkevoort, Belgium (Sea Level)
http://www.geocities.com/rodelaet
Note the magenta color of the northern edge of Mare Sirenum/Mare Cimmerium.
Elysium looks as yellow as Olympus Mons, which is just at the terminator.
There might be a sign of the dust still around Solis Lacus, just visible at
the terminator.
(10 inch Newtonian & ATK-1HS IRGB f/35)
Ralf Vandebergh
Wednesday, 02nd of November 2005
I made a pair of Mars observations on November 3, 2005 (04:45 and 05:45 U.T).
The following (morning) limb appears to contain dust (a dull beige color
noted) as well as portions of the southern hemisphere (especially over
Eridania-Ausonia). Hesperia may have contained some dust as well. I welcome
any comments on my observations.
Date (U.T.): November 3, 2005
Time (U.T.): 04:45 (left image) and 05:45 (right image)
CM: 255.4 (left image) and 270.0 (right image)
Ls: 317.6 (Mid-Northern Winter/Southern Summer)
De -14.6, Ds -16.4, p 0.99, 20.11"
Instrument: 9" F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248x and 388x
Filters (Wratten): 30 (magenta) and 38A (blue)
Seeing (1-10): 5-6 (moments of 7), Antoniadi (I-V): III
Transparency (1-6): 5
Notes:
04:45 U.T. (Left image, CM 255.4, IL/W30): The South Polar Cap (SPC) appeared
small and brilliant (10/10). Mare Australe appeared dusky to dull (4-5/10) and
mottled. Mare Chronium appeared dusky (4/10) preceding the CM. Mare Hadriacum
and Tiphys Fretum appeared as a dark to dusky (3-4/10), curvilinear albedo
feature following the CM. Electris, Eridania, and Ausonia appeared bright
(7/10) with a pale yellow-mustard color noted over these regions (dust?).
Hellas appeared shaded to bright (6-7/10) with a very bright (8/10) northwest
sector (water vapor versus dust?). Mare Cimmerium and Tritonis Sinus (sharp
projection over the following end of Mare Cimmerium) appeared dark to dusky
(3-4/10) preceding the CM. Hesperia appeared shaded to bright (6-7/10) with
dull (5/10) streaks across it (including Cerberus III). Hesperia appeared a
pale yellow-mustard color as well (dust?). Mare Tyrrhenum and Syrtis Minor
appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) and mottled following the CM. Iapygia Viridis
appeared dusky to dark (3-4/10) and mottled. Syrtis Major appeared dark to
dusky (3-4/10) over it's preceding half (Moeris Lacus appeared dusky to dull
(4-5/10) along it's preceding border). Aeolis, Aethiopis, and Aetheria appeared
bright (7/10) without any other detail visible. Nodus Alcyonius appeared a
dusky (4/10), elliptical albedo feature towards the north-following limb.
Utopia appeared as a dark to dusky (3-4/10) wedge adjacent to an extremely
bright (9/10) cloud over the Nf limb. The Hyblaeus Extension appeared as a
dusky to dull (4-5/10) area preceding the CM. Extremely bright (9/10) evening
limb haze (ELH) and morning limb haze (MLH) were visible.
05:45 U.T. (Right image, CM 270.0, W38A): Mare Cimmerium, Mare Tyrrhenum, Mare
Hadriacum, Iapygia Viridis, and Syrtis Major appeared dull (5/10). Eridania
and Ausonia appeared bright to very bright (7-8/10). Hellas appeared bright to
very bright (7-8/10, brightest over the northwest sector). Libya appeared to
contain a very bright (8/10) cloud over it. Extremely bright (9/10) evening
limb haze (ELH) and morning limb haze (MLH) were visible as well.
Carlos E. Hernandez
Date (UT): 2 November 2005 Time (UT): 02:09h
CM: 226° H: 46° Dec: 16deg;07'01"
De: -15° Ls: 317° φ: 20.1"
Telescope Schmidt-Cassegrain 280 (f/25)
Seeing: (0-10 scale) 6-7 Trans.: (0-6) 5
(10 = excellent)
Magnification: 330x / 350x
Filters: Schott: OG 550 orange
Wratten: W 64 blue/green
W 80a blue
W 85 salmon
Observer Station: Observer:
7° 18' (E) / 48° 01' (N) Teichert Gérard
Hattstatt (France)
Observing notes:
-No details can be seen on the SPC
-HELLAS appears very bright !!
-The NPH is clear
Mars in two images on November 2; poor conditions with even focusing
difficult. There does not appear to be substantial dust in Hellas at
this time...however Hellas does appear to be inordinately dark/dusky
from normal.
Dr. P. Clay Sherrod
Arkansas Sky Observatories
Ramiro Hernández Banda , Saltillo, México.
8" SC Celestron telescope, QuickCam + eyepiece projection UV/IR cut off filter.
Diameter: 20.2" , -2.3mag, Phase:0.998, UT=4:40, CM Central Meridian=263 deg.
I use a 12.5-inch x f/6 Newtonian with eyepiece projection to F/60 (750
inches EFL) and a ToUCam Pro 840, processing with Registax3 (1198 frames)
0441 UT
CM=250
Wycliffe Hoffler
Titusville, FL
Thursday, 03rd of November 2005
MARS IMAGES, NOVEMBER 3rd, 2005.
D. A. Peach. Loudwater, Buckinghamshire, UK.
14" (35cm) Celestron SCT @ f/40.
Lumenera LU075M CCD camera.
Seeing poor-fair (Pickering 3-5.)
Transparency very good (5.5mag.) occ high clouds.]
Wind SW (5-10mph.) Moderate dew.
Alt= 54-55 degs.
Here are some images from Nov 3rd. Poor-fair seeing after many days of
poor weather and rain.
Some interesting detail present on this hemisphere. Notably Olympus Mons
is shining brightly in Red (easy to see visually). Also fairly bright in
Blue. Some interesting redish spots across Electris/Phaethontis. Some
redish streaks across Mare Chronium also.
The Arsia Mons cloud is very weak in blue. The SPC remnant can just be
seen in Red.
Note the "Hot Spot" in Aeria, this being seen visually as well...comments
welcome. This was a very intense illumination that actually created much
difficulty in obtaining a reasonably-balanced image (very poor seeing);
however we watched this for about a 3-hour period.
Dr. P. Clay Sherrod
Arkansas Sky Observatories
Ramiro Hernández Banda , Saltillo, México.
8" SC Celestron telescope, QuickCam + eyepiece projection UV/IR cut off filter.
Diameter: 20.2" , -2.3mag, Phase:0.998, UT=4:40, CM Central Meridian=257 deg.
Friday, 04th of November 2005
MARS DRAWING: November 04, 2005, 0100 - 0150 UT, CM 192 - 204
J.D.Beish, Lake Placid, FL 16-in (41cm) f/6.9 Newtonian, 335 - 500x
Seeing = 6 - 7. Transparency 6, Altitude 35 deg. T=27 C
BC=1
NOTES: No dust clouds, some dusty haze in south. EC, MH bright, in red,
green and blue light. NPH still retarded, duller than usual.
Observer : Mick Hyde
Instrument : Celestron 9.25 SCT, 2xBarlow
Camera : Philips ToUCam Pro II CCD Webcam
Location : Swindon, Wiltshire, UK
Date (UT) : November 4, 2005
Time (UT) : 00:34
Observer : Mick Hyde
Instrument : Celestron 9.25 SCT, 2xBarlow
Camera : Philips ToUCam Pro II CCD Webcam
Location : Swindon, Wiltshire, UK
Date (UT) : November 4, 2005
Time (UT) : 00:31
Saturday, 05th of November 2005
The night of Nov 05, allowed a session in fair seeing finally after more
than 3 weeks poor-very poor seeing without even any sharp moment. Seeing
was still not good,but acceptable last night. Olympus Mons is both in red
and blue light a bright dot, easily seen during live capturing on the screen.
There is a very small sign of an SPC visible from this side of the planet.
10 inch Newtonian & ATK-1HS f/35 IRGB)
Ralf Vandebergh
This image taken on November 5, shows Olympus Mons as a bulge at the
terminator limb. Actually just in front of a very thin shadow-line,
the last terminator-remnant before opposition. This is well seen in
the negative image.
01:00 UTC, IR670-1000nm 10 inch Newtonian & ATK-1HS)
Ralf Vandebergh
Sunday, 06th of November 2005
MARS IMAGES, NOVEMBER 6th, 2005.
D. A. Peach. Loudwater, Buckinghamshire, UK.
14" (35cm) Celestron SCT @ f/40.
Lumenera LU075M CCD camera.
Seeing fair (Pickering 4-7.)
Transparency very good (5.5mag.) occ high clouds.
Wind SW (5-10mph.) Heavy dew.
Alt= 54-55 degs.
Tharsis and Solis Lacus are presented. Olympus Mons is shining brightly in
all filters. In the red images it clearly shows a small off-centre bright
spot, surrounded by a larger slightly less bright area. Ascraeus Mons is
also bright in all filters. Pavonis and Arsia are "lost" in the bright area
that seems to cover this part of Tharsis. In Blue this area looks like the
Arsia cloud is bright, but with some extensive mistiness across most of
Tharsis. Also a faint morning cloud off toward Trivium Charontis on the limb.
Date (UT): 6 November 2005 Time (UT): 21:42h
CM: 117° H: 52° Dec: 15°53'27"
De: -16° Ls: 320° φ: 19.9"
Telescope Schmidt-Cassegrain 280 (f/25)
Seeing: (0-10 scale) 6 Trans.: (0-6) 5
(10 = excellent)
Magnification: 330x / 350x
Filters: Schott: OG 550 orange
Wratten: W 64 blue/green
W 80a blue
W 85 salmon
Zeiss: VG 6 green
Observer Station: Observer:
7° 18' (E) / 48° 01' (N) Teichert Gérard
Hattstatt (France)
Observing notes:
-The SPC could not be seen
-ELECTRIS is whitish (1) (Filter VG 6 )
-NIX OLYMPUS (Olympus Mons !) appears very to extremely brighr (2)
(Filter VG 6 green )
Observer : Mick Hyde
Instrument : Celestron 9.25 SCT, 2xBarlow
Camera : Philips ToUCam Pro II CCD Webcam
Location : Swindon, Wiltshire, UK
Date (UT) : November 6, 2005
Time (UT) : 23:02
Mars, Marte
Ramiro Hern´dez Banda , Saltillo, México.
8" SC Celestron telescope, QuickCam + eyepiece projection UV/IR cut off filter.
Diameter: 19.9", Phase:0.99, left image UT=4:24, Central Meridian=89 deg
Monday, 07th of November 2005
I made a pair of Mars observations on November 7, 2005 (02:15 and 02:50 U.T.)
under average seeing conditions (5/10, the atmosphere did steady for brief
moments to 6-7/10). Electris and Eridania appeared bright and both exhibiting
a mildly yellow-mustard color (dust?). "Valhalla" was diffusely visible
following the CM. I welcome any comments on my observations.
Date (U.T.): November 7, 2005
Time (U.T.): 02:15 (left image) and 02:50 (right image)
CM: 183.7 (left image) and 192.2 (right image)
Ls: 319.8 (Mid-Northern Winter/Southern Summer)
De: -15.3, Ds: -15.7, p 1.00, 19.94"
Instrument: 9" F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248x and 388x
Filters (Wratten): 30 and 38A
Seeing (1-10): 5, Antoniadi (I-V): III
Transparency (1-6): 4
Notes:
02:15 U.T. Left image, CM 183.7, IL/W30): The South Polar Cap (SPC) appeared
over the southern limb as a thin, brilliant (10/10) oval (not as readily
visible from this longitude). Mare Australe and Mare Chronium appeared dark
to dull (3-5/10) and mottled. Phaethontis appeared bright (7/10). Electris
and Eridania wee also bright (7/10) but appeared to be mildly yellow-mustard
tinged (dust?). Mare Sirenum appeared dark (3/10) and mottled. Mare Cimmerium
appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) and mottled as well. "Valhalla" appeared as a
diffuse, dull (5/10) band north of Mare Cimmerium. Zephyria and Aeolis appeared
bright to very bright (7-8/10) north of Mare Cimmerium as well (water vapor
cloud vs. dust). Memnonia, Zephyria, Aeolis, Aethiopis, and Aetheria appeared
bright (7/10). Elysium appeared shaded to bright (6-7/10) preceding the CM.
Phlegra appeared dusky to dull (4-5/10). The Hyblaeus Extension appeared dark
to dull (3-5/10) and mottled following Elysium. Utopia appeared dusky to dull
(4-5/10) following the CM. An extremely bright (9/10) evening limb haze (ELH)
and morning limb haze (MLH) were noted. An extremely bright (9/10) North Polar
Limb (or Hood?) was noted as well.
02:50U.T. (Right image, CM 192.2, W38A): Mare Sirenum and Mare Cimmerium were
dull (5/10) preceding and following the CM, respectively. Bright to very bright
(7-8/10) clouds were noted over Phaethontis, Electris, Eridania, Zephyria, and
Aeolis. Extremely bright (9/10) evening limb haze (ELH), morning limb haze
(MLH), North polar limb, and South polar limb were noted.
Carlos E. Hernandez
Date (UT): 7 November 2005 Time (UT): 21:13h
CM: 102° H: 50° Dec: 15°50'38"
De: -16° Ls: 320° φ: 19.9"
Telescope Schmidt-Cassegrain 280 (f/25)
Seeing: (0-10 scale) 6 Trans.: (0-6) 5
(10 = excellent)
Magnification: 330x / 350x
Filters: Schott: OG 550 orange
Wratten: W 64 blue/green
W 80a blue
W 85 salmon
Zeiss: VG 6 green
Observer Station: Observer:
7° 18' (E) / 48° 01' (N) Teichert Gérard
Hattstatt (France)
Observing notes:
-ELECTRIS is whitish on the western side (1)
-OLYMPUS MONS is very bright (2) (Filter VG 6 green)
-The NPH was weak on the day
MARS DRAWING: November 07, 2005, 0100 -0130 UT, CM 165 - 178
J.D.Beish, Lake Placid, FL 16-in (41cm) f/6.9 Newtonian, 335 - 500x
Seeing=7-8. Transparency 6, Altitude 38 deg. T=21°C BC=1
NOTES: Uncomfortable observing position so drawing not good. SPC just
visible and clear. NPH bright in blue light. MH and MC in Hesperia. Small
EC over western Solis Lacus. Orographic cloud at Nix Olympica. No shadow
in caldera or on evening slope, no way, no how. Opposition, Mars bright in
16" telescope and had to lean over too far to make good drawing!
Attached is an RGB composite of our HST WFPC2 images of Mars from November 7;
a JPEG and an annotated JPEG that provides some more information on features
of interest.
The images that went into the composite were obtained through the F410M, F502N,
and F631N filters from 04:27 to 04:33 UT on 2005-11-07, within about four hours
of the lowest phase (difference between Sun-Mars angle and Earth-Mars angle)
that Mars has had during the lifetime of HST (around 0.31 degrees--effectively
zero because that's about the same angle that the Sun subtends from Mars).
This is the most "Full Mars" anyone can ever see from Earth, and we're still
trying to figure out if we saw the so-called "opposition effect" brightening in
these images. It's hard to tell because HST only observed Mars twice this
opposition, on Oct. 28 (phase angle around 9 degrees), and Nov. 7, and opposite
sides of the planet were viewed. We have to compare these images to ones from
the past decade of HST Mars images to figure it out... In our spare time...
The "divot" taken out of the right side of the planet near the equator is real,
and might be related to the high volcano Arsia Mons being almost exactly on the
limb and for whatever reason (weather, probably) having fewer clouds than the
surrounding plains at this particular time. Interesting geometric/meteorologic
effect. The smallest features resolvable in the image (small craters and wind
streaks) are about 35 km across.
It was thought a blue clearing, and took picture instead of the B2 filter
of 450nm or less because the pattern was clearly seen usually when the
B1(370–530nm) image in the monitor was seen when taking picture. When
the image after it processes it is seen, the pattern of surface of the earth
hardly reflects usually in B2 of 450nm or less compared with B1, and both of
this day patterns are almost similarly reflected. It might be a blue clearing
of happening in the vicinity of the passage. It is the first time that the
pattern reflected like this this term by B of 450nm or less. At that time,
the pattern is not reflected though this vicinity is taken by B of 450nm or
less on November 03.
Tuesday, 08th of November 2005
I made a pair of Mars observations on November 8, 2005 (00:50 and 01:15 U.T.)
under average to good seeing conditions (6-7/10). Much detail was noted over
the southern hemisphere from Solis Lacus to Mare Cimmerium. Olympus Mons
(orographic cloud) was noted as well. I welcome any comments that you may
have on my observations.
Date (U.T.) November 8, 2005
Time (U.T.): 00:50 (left image) and 01:15 (right image)
CM: 154.1 (left image) and 160.2 (right image)
Ls: 320.3 (Mid-Northern Winter/Southern Summer)
De: -15.5, Ds: -15.5, p: 1.00, 19.88"
Instrument: 9" F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248x, 298x, and 388x
Filters (Wratten): 30 and 38A
S (1-10): 6-7, Antoniadi (I-V): III-II
Transparency (1-6): 5
Notes:
00:50 U.T. (Left image, CM 154.1, IL/W30): The South Polar Cap (SPC) was
brilliant and small. Mare Austale was dusky to dull (4-5/10) and mottled.
Solis Lacus appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) over the south-preceding limb.
Aonius Sinus appeared dusky to dull (4-5/10) with Phasis (5/10) projecting
from it's northern border. Daedalia, Phaethontis, Electris, and Eridania
appeared bright (7/10). Mare Sirenum appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) and
mottled on the CM (Caralis Fons (4/10) was noted along it's southern border).
Mare Cimmerium was dark to dusky (3-4/10) following Mare Sirenum. "Valhalla"
appeared as a dull (5/10) and diffuse band north of Mare Sirenum and Mare
Cimmerium. Memnonia and Zephyria appeared bright to very bright (7-8/10).
Tithonius Lacus was visible as a dark to dusky (3-4/10) wedge along the
preceding limb surrounded by a very bright to extremely bright (8-9/10) cloud
projecting from the extremely bright (9/10) evening limb haze (ELH). Tharsis
and Amazonis appeared bright to very bright (7-8/10). Tempe and Arcadia
appeared dull to shaded (5-6/10). Olympus Mons (orographic cloud) appeared
very bright (8/10) over Tharsis preceding the CM. Phlegra appeared dusky to
dull (4-5/10) towards the following limb (preceding Elysium). The southern
components of the Propontis Complex (Euxinus Lacus, Propontis I, and possibly
Castorius Lacus) were dusky to dull (4-5/10). Elysium appeared bright to
very bright (7-8/10) adjacent to an extremely bright (9/10) morning limb haze
(MLH). An extremely bright (9/10) North Polar Haze (NPH) was noted as well.
01:15 U.T. (Right image, CM 160.2, W38A): A very bright to extremely bright
(8-9/10) cloud was noted to project from the preceding limb over Tharsis and
extending to Memnonia. Mare Sirenum and Mare Cimmerium appeared dull (5/10).
Olympus Mons (orographic cloud) was very bright (8/10) towards the
north-preceding limb over Tharsis. Bright to very bright (7-8/10) discrete
clouds were noted over Phaethontis, Electris, Memnonia, and Zephyria. Elysium
appeared bright to very bright (7-8/10) over the north-following limb.
Extremely bright (9/10) evening limb haze (LH), morning limb haze (MLH),
and North Polar Haze (NPH) were noted as well.
Carlos E. Hernandez
These pictures were taken in Augsburg Germany with a C11 using a 13mm
Plössl for projection and a toucam pro 740.
Seeing 4 (pickering)
Transparency: slightly hazy
Baader UV/IR filter
Juergen Riedmann
Mars, November 8, 2005 UD
CM 192.7 degrees, De -15.5 degrees, Ls 320.3 degrees
Phase defect 1.0, Size 19.9"
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS at 224x & 311x with W23A red filter.
Mostly clear, moderate humidity, warm, sporadic clouds & wind. Darkest
features Sirenum with Cimmerium & Tyrrhenum following. Chronium prominent in
S. SPC remnant barely suspected. Ausonia brighter than Eridania & Phaethontis.
Elysium, Amazonis & Memnonia very bright. Thin morning & evening limb hazes.
Bright but thin NP Hood. Hyblaeus & Propontis very faint.
Jay Albert
Lake Worth, FL
Mars Image:
Nov 8, 2005 01:11 UT
CM 159
16" f/4.5 newt. (2) 2X barlows stacked
Conditions: Poor with some clouds.
Camera: Meade DSI Pro
Stack of 210 images in RGB
Note: Image appears "soft" compared to image set
taken on Nov. 6, 2005 near the same CM. Bad seeing
conditions or dust?
James Hannon
Thomaston, CT
I took picture of a blue clearing that had happened yesterday to confirm it.
This day was seen especially carefully in the monitor though seeing was bad.
The pattern of surface were able to be confirmed even to the image of B of
450nm or less where the pattern of the ground did not reflect at all even
if the image was processed while taking picture clearly. November 7 was a
day of the opposition in Mars. There is an opinion that the effect of the
passage works in the one about the factor of a blue clearing though there
seem to be various ideas. In that case, a bright region is an idea that
reflectivity seems for a dark pattern to come to the surface greatly, and
relatively in the effect of the high straightening passage than a dark
region though the effect of the passage works at an area all visible optical
and the entire Mars side lightens in Mars before and behind the passage.
Large Shiltis etc. were able to confirm Sabaeus and Meridiani, etc. directly
even without processing the image this time though the effect seemed to be
large thickly be going against. However, it felt relieved in the image
November 3 though it was thought it was uneasy because the symptom did not
exist in the place where a blue clearing might not occur also in the passage
because it happened on that day of the passage. It was called Hairiganshain
of the Saturn, and I felt the importance of the planet observation in the
vicinity of the opposition.
When did a blue clearing start, and the image in the longitude in the same
vicinity of this term was arranged. It is thought that this blue clearing
happens in the passage after November 4 until November 7 when this is seen.
Geographical features are not reflected though the cloud is reflected in
some places in B image September 1 and October 1. The cloud is not found,
and a Mars side of a plain impression in B image November 3 besides an ultra
cloud. I appended it below referring to R image of the day the same as what
one the geographical features of the same phase was was understood. The peak
seems to be in the vicinity of 390nm though the penetration chart of this
filter was put up. The contrast is attached to the pattern of surface on
September 1 when the phase angle with the earth is large when this R image
is seen, and it is understood that can be hung on becoming small of the
approaching phase angle to the passage and the contrast has decreased.
An image from 2005/11/08 at 00:26 UTC. 10 inch Newtonian & ATK-1HS @/f/36 RsGB)
Seeing: poor-fair.Transp: fair-good.
Notes: Arsia orographic cloud moderate bright in blue light. Olympus Mons
very bright, bright in blue light too. NPH moderate bright in blue light.
Further a bright morning limb cloud, also obvious in the color result. In
blue light, this cloud looks as bright as the NPH.
Ralf Vandebergh
An image from 2005/11/08 at 22:49 UTC, taken in very hard imaging conditions
due to strong wind which destroyed most of the captures. Seeing: poor,
transparance: very good.
Notes: Some detail, maybe a bright core visible within Olympus Mons, the
HC blue light image shows the Tharsis orographic clouds, especially above
Arsia, as bright. NPH is bright but small.
10 inch Newtonian & ATK-1HS @ f/30 IRGB- blue light high contrast.
Ralf Vandebergh
Wednesday, 09th of November 2005
MARS IMAGES, NOVEMBER 9th, 2005.
D. A. Peach. Loudwater, Buckinghamshire, UK.
14" (35cm) Celestron SCT @ f/40.
Lumenera LU075M CCD camera.
Seeing poor-occ fair (Pickering 3-5.)
Transparency very good (5.5mag.)
No wind. Heavy dew.
Alt= 51-55 degs.
Here are some images from Nov 9th. Olympus Mons remians bright, though
Ascraeus is not a white spot this time. The NPH is bright, and the dust
here has long since settled...
Sketch of Mars, November 09 2005 / 0.00 UT
Meade ETX 105 Mak with Vixen Zoom 24-8 @ x180
With orange filter
Seeing 2.0 / 5 — Trans.
Rony De Laet, Bekkevoort, Belgium (Sea Level)
http://www.geocities.com/rodelaet
Thursday, 10th of November 2005
MARS DRAWING: November 10, 2005, 0105 - 0130 UT, CM 140 - 146
J.D.Beish, Lake Placid, FL 16-in (41cm) f/6.9 Newtonian, 335 - 500x
Seeing = 8 - 9. Transparency 6, Altitude 45 deg. T=25.5 C
BC =0
NOTES: NPH and EC, no dist, no other clouds. Nic Olympica detailed
with good seeing, bright ochre colored. "Opposition Effect" obvious.
Too many fine features to draw, will leave that to the CCD guys.
A blue clearing was confirmed on this day. The cloud was able to take
picture only of it was possible to go out rapidly after it had taken
picture of the set of this though seeing was expected more than the
other day because it was a little better.
Friday, 11th of November 2005
I made a pair of Mars observations on November 11, 2005 (00:45 and 01:15 U.T.)
under average seeing conditions (5-6/10, periods of 7). Much detail was noted
over the southern hemisphere from Solis Lacus to Mare Cimmerium. I welcome any
comments that you may have on my observations.
Date (U.T.) November 11, 2005
Time (U.T.): 00:45 (left image) and 01:15 (right image)
CM: 126.5 (left image) and 133.8 (right image)
Ls: 322.0 (Mid-Northern Winter/Southern Summer)
De: -16.0, Ds: -14.9, p: 0.99, 19.64"
Instrument: 9" F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248x, 298x, and 388x
Filters (Wratten): 30 and 38A
S (1-10): 5-6 (periods of 7), Antoniadi (I-V): III
Transparency (1-6): 5
Notes:
00:45 U.T. (Left image, CM 126.5, IL/W30): The South Polar Cap (SPC) was
brilliant and very small. Mare Austale was dusky to dull (4-5/10) and mottled.
Solis Lacus appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) over the south-preceding limb.
Nectar appeared broad and dusky (4/10). Ambrosia (5/10) and Bathys (5/10)
were noted to project from the southern border of Solis Lacus. Geryon (5/10)
and Calydon (5/10) were noted to project from it's northern border. Aonius
Sinus appeared dusky (4/10) with Phasis (5/10) projecting from it's northern
border. Daedalia, Phaethontis, and Electris appeared bright (7/10). Mare
Sirenum appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) and mottled following the CM (Caralis
Fons (4/10) was noted along it's southern border). Mare Cimmerium was dark to
dusky (3-4/10) following Mare Sirenum towards the following limb. Memnonia
and Zephyria appeared bright to very bright (7-8/10) north of Mare Sirenum.
Tithonius Lacus was visible as a dark to dusky (3-4/10) wedge towards the
preceding limb surrounded by a very bright to extremely bright (8-9/10) cloud
projecting from the extremely bright (9/10) evening limb haze (ELH). Tharsis
and Amazonis appeared bright (7/10). Tempe and Arcadia appeared dull to shaded
(5-6/10). Olympus Mons appeared as a bright (7/10) circular albedo feature over
Tharsis following the CM. Phlegra appeared as a dusky (4/10) "sliver" towards
the following limb. An extremely bright (9/10) morning limb haze (MLH) and
North Polar Haze (NPH) were noted as well.
01:15 U.T. (Right image, CM 133.8, W38A): A bright to very bright (7-8/10)
cloud was noted to project from the preceding limb over Tharsis , Daedalia,
Memnonia, and Zephyria on the following limb (cloud band?). Solis Lacus, Mare
Sirenum and Mare Cimmerium appeared dull (5/10). Extremely bright (9/10)
evening limb haze (LH), morning limb haze (MLH), and North Polar Haze (NPH)
were noted as well. A very bright (8/10) projection (cloud) from the NPH was
noted over Tempe-Arcadia.
Carlos E. Hernandez
Date (UT): 11 November 2005 Time (UT): 20:13h
CM: 52° H: 44° Dec: 15°39'21"
De: -16° Ls: 322° φ: 19.6"
Telescope Schmidt-Cassegrain 280 (f/25)
Seeing: (0-10 scale) 5 Trans.: (0-6) 4 hazy
(10 = excellent)
Magnification: 330x / 350x
Filters: Schott: OG 550 orange
Wratten: W 64 blue/green
W 80a blue
W 85 ‘salmon’
Zeiss: VG 6 green
Observer Station: Observer:
7° 18' (E) / 48° 01' (N) Teichert Gérard
Hattstatt (France)
Observing notes:
-The SPC could not be seen
-Bright cloud is located above OPHIR (1 ) Filter Zeiss VG 6 green
-The NPH is bright
MARS DRAWING: November 11, 2005, 0100 - 0130 UT, CM 130 - 138
J.D.Beish, Lake Placid, FL 16-in (41cm) f/6.9 Newtonian, 335x
Seeing = 5. Transparency 5, Altitude 40 deg. T=19 C
BC = 0
NOTES: SPR hazy. Long DC just north of SPC, EC, Nix Olympica bright
with haze or cloud, NPH dull. Drawing n pencil shows dark area all
around Olymous Mons but did not scan well.
Mars, November 11, 2005 UD
CM 166.0 degrees, De -16.0 degrees, Ls 322.0 degrees
Phase defect .999, Size 19.7"
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS at 224x & 311x with W23A red filter.
Partly cloudy with increasing cirrus, occasional light breeze from N,
falling temperatures gradually deteriorated seeing, Moon 1 day past 3rd Q.
SPC tiny & difficult; seen only in steadiest moments. Olympus Mons sometimes
seen as bright spot near NP limb also in steadiest moments. Sirenum &
Cimmerium darkest regions. Chronium prominent. Phaethontis dusky, Eridania
bright, Memnonia & Aeolis very bright. Solis Lacus on P limb obscured by
clouds &/or limb haze. Limb haze bright and all around disk in W38A blue
filter, but brightest over Solis Lacus.
Jay Albert
Lake Worth, FL
Attached Mars images obtained under difficult
conditions. Seeing was fair but images had to be
taken during periods of breaks in the clouds. A
complete cloud cover prevented getting images as Mars
got higher in the sky.
James Hannon
Thomaston, Conn.
Red and blue limb coloration due to Mars being only 15 deg. from western
horizon; note the intense brightness and coloration (see B (Blue) image) of the
northern polar haze.
Color balance is off; attempting to learn a new camera system, and the seeing
was very poor.
Dr. P. Clay Sherrod
Arkansas Sky Observatories
Saturday, 12th of November 2005
tream finally disappeared for a few days and allowed me to grab a few decent
image (by my standards anyway). I will have a few more sets to send, but
these are the better of the lot from Nov 11/12.
I used the 30cm SCT scope @ f40, and the ATK-1HS camera, controlled with K3CCD
tools. The best 900 frames from approx 1200 were combined in Registax 3 for
the LRGB sets and 500 of 600 IR and 80 of 100 UV were used. Filters were from
the Schuler line. I have had no luck getting any good images with the Lumenera
camera, so I will wait for an update of K3CCD to run it. Until then, the Atik
camera will be my choice.
Brian Colville
Maple Ridge Observatory
MARe IMAGES, NOVEMBER 12th, 2005.
D. A. Peach. Loudwater, Buckinghamshire, UK.
14" (35cm) Celestron SCT @ f/40.
Lumenera LU075M CCD camera.
Seeing good (Pickering 6-8.)
Transparency very good (5.5mag) slight mist/haze.
Wind NW (0-5mph.) Heavy dew.
Alt= 50-55 degs.
Here are some images from the 12th. The seeing was finally good in all
filters (the first time in several weeks.) This was my best view so far
of the Chryse Hemisphere.
An interesting change is noted after the dust storm the errupted over
Oxia Palus/Aram last month. The whole area of Margaritifer Sinus extending
into Pyrrhae Regio is notably lighter than pre-storm. There almost seems
to be a weak "divide line" between this faded area, and Aurorae Sinus (which
is very dark in Red and also dark in Blue.) Indus is dark connecting SE
Niliacus Lacus with Oxia Palus. Hydaspes is rather weak but present.
Some intricate detail around Valles Marineris, with various nuclei,
and a faint "canal" extending from Melas Lacus into Ophir. Olympus
Mons is again bright in Red, while now invisible in Blue.
Sunday, 13th of November 2005
MARS DRAWING: November 11, 2005, 0015 - 0035 UT, CM 93 - 98
J.D.Beish, Lake Placid, FL 16-in (41cm) f/6.9 Newtonian, 335x
Seeing = 5 - 7. Transparency 5 - 6, Altitude 30 deg. T=19 C BC = 0
NOTES: SPR slightly hazy. SPC not seen. Nix Olympica bright with haze or
cloud, NPH bright.
Image taken while Mars was only about 10 degrees above my local horizon.
This was done to beat a thick deck of clouds rolling in for the rest of
the night. The image was actually taken thru some bare tree branches,
causing an unsharp image. Even so it appears their is a brick red colored
dust storm near Aurorae Sinus and Mare Erythraeum. Higher resolution images
should show if this is the case.
Image taken with a Meade DIS Pro Camera.
Stack of 300 images.
James Hannon
Thomaston Conn.
Sketch of Mars, November 09 2005 / 0.00 UT
Meade ETX 105 Mak with Vixen Zoom 24-8 @ x180
With orange filter
Seeing 3.5 / 5 — Trans. Moon 80%
Rony De Laet, Bekkevoort, Belgium (Sea Level)
http://www.geocities.com/rodelaet
A set of images obtained on 2005/11/13 from 23:21- 23:43 UTC.
Seeing was for the first time fair with good moments after almost 1 month
of very poor seeing/clouds.
The region of Solis Lacus is present.
Olympus Mons is yellowish at the morning limb.The terminator is already seen on the right side,especially
in the LRGB image.
-The SPC remnant is well visible in the blue images.
-The NPH is obvious.
10 inch Newtonian & ATK-1HS @f/35 R(G)B)
Ralf Vandebergh
Here's an additional image from 2005/11/13 at 23:03 UTC
10 inch Newtonian & ATK-1HS @ f/60 0.08´´/p R(G)B)
Ralf Vandebergh
I think I captured the remnant of the first large duststorm (arrowed)
It appears as a triangle shaped patch near the SPC.
2005/11/13 time:23:03 UTC CM=75.25
(for the European observers, as we saw nothing of the storm when it was active.
10 inch Newtonian & ATK-1HS @ f/65 R(G)B.
Ralf Vandebergh
Here are some HR images from November 13, R(G)B and monochrome. There are a
few areas visible with some subtle changes after the duststorms in this area
(Margaritifer Sinus, Eos). Added is also a comparison of 2 partial images
taken in red light of the area around the SPC. The bright area, which I think
is a remnant of the first large duststorm in October, is present in both
images with 4 minute time-difference.
Seeing fair/with poor moments and good moments
10 inch Newtonian & ATK-1HS 1@ f/65 L R(G)B)
Ralf Vandebergh
At last, here is an LLRGB version of the 2005/11/13 23:03 UTC image.
CM=75.25 LS=323.0 ph.a=05.1 d=19.45
10 inch Newtonian & ATK-1HS 1@ f/65 L L R(G)B)
The possible duststorm remnant near the SPC has indeed a derogatory color.
Ralf Vandebergh
I have added a higher-contrast blue layer to the image from Nov 13, at 23:00
This result shows better contrast of the limb-clouds.
The seeing during this session was poor with some fair moments.
Ralf Vandebergh
Monday, 14th of November 2005
MARS DRAWING: November 14, 2005, 0130 - 0200 UT, CM 111 - 118
J.D.Beish, Lake Placid, FL 16-in (41cm) f/6.9 Newtonian, 335x
Seeing = 8. Transparency 6, Altitude 50 deg. T=21 C BC = 0
NOTES: SPR slightly hazy. SPC appars to be split. Nix Olympica (Olympus
Mons) clear. Evenint lim hazy from NPR to SPR, NPH bright.
I use a 12.5-inch x f/6 Newtonian with eyepiece projection to F/60 (750
inches EFL) and a ToUCam Pro 840, processing with Registax3 (2078 frames)
0311 UT
CM=140
Wycliffe Hoffler
Titusville, FL
Tuesday, 15th of November 2005
Mars Image from Nov. 15 2005
Camera Meade DSI Pro
Telescope: The 16: F/ 4.5 Newt was stropped down to 6"
and was working at f/24 using a 2X barlow. The near
full moon very near Mars caused problems with
reflecting off the secondary. I took a page from
Gerald North's Book "Observing the Moon" and used an
off-set 6" mask thus eliminating the secondary. The
result was quiet good compared to some full aperture
images. Their seems to be dust activity all around
Solis Lacus extending to Mare Erythraeum. This area
appears brick red on my image. South polar haze is
also evident as well as some limb haze. Solis Lacus
is quiet dark.
Seeing: Seeing was poor to fair at times.
James Hannon
Thomaston Conn.
Wednesday, 16th of November 2005
MARS IMAGES, NOVEMBER 16th, 2005.
D. A. Peach. Loudwater, Buckinghamshire, UK.
14" (35cm) Celestron SCT @ f/40.
ATK-1HS camera.
Seeing poor (Pickering 2-4.)
Transparency very good (5.5mag) scatt high clouds.
Wind NNW (~5mph.) Heavy dew. -1deg C.
Alt= 55 degs.
After two nights of horrendously poor seeing, last night it improved enough
to actually do something!. I was to test a new camera but things didnt work
out, and my old Lumenera had a problem also, so i had to revert back to the
ATK (after spending most of the night trying to sort out camera problems!.)
Poor seeing this session, but the NPH is brilliant, and Aurorae sinus is
dark again.
MARS DRAWING: November 16, 2005, 0030 - 0045 UT, CM 78.8 - 82.5
J.D.Beish, Lake Placid, FL 16-in (41cm) f/6.9 Newtonian, 335 - 500x
Seeing = 7 - 9. Transparency 6, Altitude 40 deg. T=23.3 C
BC = 2 (noticable BC)
NOTES: In near perfect seeing too many surface details to draw. Solis Lacus
larger than I remember it in years. SPC tiny but visible when seeing settles.
Haze on mornign side of SPR, MC, MH NPHood, and EH on north limb. Nix Olympica
visible with cloud. All in all great observing night -- bugs bad!
Thursday, 17th of November 2005
I made an observation of Mars on November 17, 2005 (05:00 and 05:45 U.T.)
under average to good seeing conditions (5-7/10). Much detail was noted
over the southern hemisphere from Solis Lacus to Mare Cimmerium. A bright
(7/10) streak was noted along the length of Mars Sirenum (cloud vs. dust?).
I welcome any comments that you may have on my observation.
Date (U.T.) November 17, 2005
Time (U.T.): 05:00 (left image) and 05:45 (right image)
CM: 135.8 (left image) and 146.8 (right image)
Ls: 325.4 (Mid-Northern Winter/Southern Summer)
De: -17.0, Ds: -13.8, p: 0.99, 19.02"
Instrument: 9" F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248x and 347x
Filters (Wratten): 30 and 38A
S (1-10): 5-7, Antoniadi (I-V): III-II
Transparency (1-6): 4
Notes:
05:00 U.T. (Left image, CM 135.8, IL/W30): The South Polar Cap (SPC) was
brilliant and very small (more readily noticeable during moments of steady
seeing). Mare Austale was dusky to dull (4-5/10) and mottled. Solis Lacus
appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) over the south-preceding limb. Ambrosia
(5/10) and Bathys (5/10) were noted to project from the southern border of
Solis Lacus. Geryon (5/10) and Calydon (5/10) were noted to project from
its northern border. Aonius Sinus appeared dusky (4/10) with Phasis (5/10)
projecting from it's northern border. Daedalia, Phaethontis, and Electris
appeared bright (7/10). Mare Sirenum appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) and
mottled following the CM (Caralis Fons (4/10) was noted along its following-
southern border). A bright (7/10) streak was noted within Mare Sirenum along
its east-west length (possibly a cloud or dust?). Araxes was noted as a dull
(5/10), diffuse projection over the preceding end of Mare Sirenum. Mare
Cimmerium was diffusely visible within the extremely bright (9/10) morning
limb haze (MLH). Memnonia and Zephyria appeared bright to very bright (7-8/10)
north of Mare Sirenum. Tharsis and Amazonis appeared bright (7/10). Tempe
and Arcadia appeared dull to shaded (5-6/10). Olympus Mons appeared as a
bright (7/10) circular albedo feature over Tharsis preceding the CM. An
extremely bright (9/10) evening limb haze (ELH) and North Polar Haze (NPH)
were noted as well.
05:45 U.T. (Right image, CM 146.8, W38A): Solis Lacus, Mare Sirenum and
Mare Cimmerium appeared dull (5/10). A very bright to extremely bright
(8-9/10) cloud was noted to project from the preceding limb over Tharsis.
Bright to very bright (7-8/10) clouds were noted over Memnonia and Zephyria.
Extremely bright (9/10) evening limb haze (LH), morning limb haze (MLH), and
North Polar Haze (NPH) were noted as well. A very bright (8/10) projection
(cloud) from the NPH was noted over Tempe-Arcadia.
Carlos E. Hernandez
RS IMAGES, NOVEMBER 17th, 2005.
D. A. Peach. Loudwater, Buckinghamshire, UK.
14" (35cm) Celestron SCT @ f/40.
Lumenera LU075M CCD camera.
Seeing good (Pickering 6-8.)
Transparency excellent (5.5mag.)
Wind NNW (0-5mph.) Heavy dew.
Alt= 52-54 degs.
Here are some belated Mars images from back on Nov 17th. Good seeing. The
Chryse hemisphere was nicely placed for this session. Some nice evening
mists across Solis Lacus. Also a weak mist over Argyre.
Date (UT): 19 November 2005 Time (UT): 20:10h
CM: 340° H: 49° Dec: 15°19'37"
De: -18° Ls: 327° φ: 18.6"
Telescope Schmidt-Cassegrain 280 (f/25)
Seeing: (0-10 scale) 6 Trans.: (0-6) 3 Moon !
(10 = excellent)
Magnification: 330x / 350x
Filters: Schott: OG 550 orange
Wratten: W 64 blue/green
W 80a blue
W 85 salmon
Zeiss: VG 6 green
Observer Station: Observer:
7° 18' (E) / 48° 01' (N) Teichert Gérard
Hattstatt (France)
Observing notes:
-The NPH can be seen very well
-The SPC appears faded
-HELLAS is normally and slightly bright
MARS DRAWING: J.D. Beish, Lake Placid, FL (27N21', 081W19')
16-in (41cm) f/6.9 Newtonian, Mag: 335 - 500 x
November 17, 2005, 0100 - 0120 UT, CM 77 - 82, Ls = 325.4, Ds = -17.0
Seeing: 7 - 8. Trans: 6, Alt: 47 deg. OAT: 24 C
NOTES: BC = 2. SPR hazy. NP hood bright, MH and EH.
MARS DRAWING: J.D. Beish, Lake Placid, FL (27N21', 081W19')
16-in (41cm) f/6.9 Newtonian, Mag: 335 - 500 x
November 17, 2005, 0130 - 0145 UT, CM 84.6 - 88.3, Ls = 325.4, Ds = -17.0
Seeing: 9 - 10. Trans: 6, Alt: 53 deg. OAT: 23.4 C
NOTES: BC = 2. SPR hazy. NP hood bright, MH and EH. Nic Olympica dull,
but seen.
Mars, November 17, 2005 UD
CM 102.9 degrees, De -17.0 degrees, Ls 325.4 degrees
Phase defect .994, Size 19.0"
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS at 400x & 311x with W23A red filter.
Mostly clear, occasional passing cumulus, mid 70's, no wind, full Moon.
Sirenum darkest, Solis Lacus & Aurorae almost as dark. Chronium, Aonius,
Tithonius Lacus & Phoenicis Lacus prominent. Sokis Lacus had dusky smudge
extending N to Noctis Lacus. SPC remnant easier than on November 11th and
also seen in W58 green filter. Olympus Mons not seen, but small smudge seen
in that approximate location barely darker than background. Bright spot inside
NPH sometimes suspected in green filter, but highly uncertain. W38A blue
filter showed limb haze all around disk, but wider & brighter on evening limb.
NPH brighter than limb haze in blue filter and very slightly brighter area
seen N of Solis Lacus.
Jay Albert
Lake Worth, FL
Here's Mars taken 11/17/05 at 6:12 UT from Corte Madera, CA.
Camera: Unibrain Fire-i monochrome board camera
Filters: red 23A, green 58, blue 38A in Apogee color wheel, IR blocking filter
Telescope: Meade 12.5" f/4.5 Starfinder Newtonian hot-rodded with Dob-Driver II
tracking, JMI 2" motorized focuser, 3x barlow for effective f/12.
Very good seeing and transparency.
Images captured with Astro IIDC.
I used the best of a thousand images in each color, aligned and stacked in
Lynkeos, and processed in Kieth's Image Stacker and Photoshop all on a mac.
More pics at http://homepage.mac.com/stevepur/firei_astrophotos.htm
Steve Bryson
http://homepage.mac.com/stevepur
Friday, 18th of November 2005
Saturday, 19th of November 2005
MARS IMAGES, NOVEMBER 19th, 2005.
D. A. Peach. Loudwater, Buckinghamshire, UK.
14" (35cm) Celestron SCT @ f/40.
Lumenera LU075M CCD camera.
Seeing good-very good (Pickering 7-8.)
Transparency good (4,5mag) mist/occ high clouds.
Wind NNW (0-5mph.) Heavy dew.
Alt= 49-55 degs.
Here are some belated images from November 19th. Some very good seeing at
times. An extensive morning mist extends across Chryse, Aurorae Sinus. The
anomalous dark feature reported by Don Parker can also be clearly seen. Some
interesting faint spots extending from Oxia Palus/Meridiani into Eden. Also
some interesting details across Hellespontus up toward Mare Australe.
Date (UT): 17 November 2005 Time (UT): 21:27h
CM: 17° H: 56° Dec: 15°23'51"
De: -17° Ls: 326° φ: 18.9"
Telescope Schmidt-Cassegrain 280 (f/25)
Seeing: (0-10 scale) 4 - 5 Trans.: (0-6) 2 – 3 Moon !
(10 = excellent)
Magnification: 330x / 350x
Filters: Schott: OG 550 orange
Wratten: W 64 blue/green
W 80a blue
W 85 salmon
Zeiss: VG 6 green
Observer Station: Observer:
7° 18' (E) / 48° 01' (N) Teichert Gérard
Hattstatt (France)
Observing notes:
-The Martian atmosphere is less transparent than usual !
-No details can be seen on the SPC
-High contrast in HELLAS ! (White clouds) (1)
-Bright cloud near SYRIA (appears faded !) (2)
-The NPH is bright
An image from 2005/11/19 at 23:39 UTC taken in fair seeing conditions,
just before upcoming clouds. I had to work very quick to get the blue
light image. The NPH appears beautiful.
10 inch Newtonian & ATK-1HS @ f/65 IRGB)
Ralf Vandebergh
Sunday, 20th of November 2005
Mars Images Obtained Nov. 20 2005
16" Newt. working at F/18
Meade DSI Pro Camera
North Polar hood noted in each image, Solis Lacus very
dark as well as the Aurorae Sinus area. Some high
clouds degraded the green and blue channel in the
image centered on 01:35 UT. Otherwise seeing fair.
James Hannon
Thomaston, Conn.
Monday, 21st of November 2005
Attached is an observation from last night, 2005/11/21 23:07 UTC.
An other processing technique was used.
A nice blue morning-cloud is visible above Mare Erythraeum.
Seeing was fair in this session.
10 inch Newtonian & ATK-1HS @f/40 R(G)B)
Ralf Vandebergh
Tuesday, 22nd of November 2005
An image taken in the night 22/23 November at 23:10 UTC. The current morning
limb cloud is very obviously visible, and its elongated in N-S direction. A
few other clouds can also be seen.
10 inch Newtonian & ATK1HS @f/40 R(G)B)
Ralf Vandebergh
Attached is a set observation from Nov. 22.Beside the very obvious morning
clouds, the image shows clearly cloud/haze activity over Moab, at best seen
in the color image. Note also the beautiful view through the NPH clouds on
the albedo structures(Mars Acidalium,Cydonia etc).
Still cloudy here, so I work on older images.
10" N & ATH-1HS@ f/65)
Ralf Vandebergh
November22, 2005 - There appears to be a brightening near the border of
Chryse Planitia and Acidalia Planitia (near the Viking 1 landing site).
Is this a possible beginning of a dust storm?
Wednesday, 23rd of November 2005
Mars 2005/11/23. It was hard work, this session due to a very cold foggy air,
but it provided some nice views of our red neighbor. I captured again at
f/65 and it was truly amazing to see the big in clouds wrapped disk of Mars
in the blue light on my screen, looked more then only an image. It was like
I was looking out of the window of a spacecraft on the way to Mars.....
10 inch Newtonian & ATK-1HS @f/65 R-IR(G)B
Ralf Vandebergh
The attached image is a last result from my Nov 23 session on Mars. There
are some interesting things:
-The long elongated shape of the bright morning cloud which reaches until
in Pyhrrae region.
-The yellow streak above the NPH edge, in height about just below the southern
edge of Niliacus Lacus. I already oftener imaged the deviated color of this
streak during the apparition. The blue image shows it dark and also we see
the space between the southern edge of the NPH and the streak. It seems also
its not parallel with the NPH edge. At last, it clearly crosses in front of
Niliacus Lacus as seen in both the IRGB color image and the blue image. Who
can tell me more about this streak?
-The chain(s) of small dark spots left from Oxia Palus is (especially well
visible in one of Damian's recent images in good seeing). Witness the Hubble
and spacecraft images, these are actually chains of small craters, looks like
they were 'dropped' or 'detached' from Sinus Sabeaus and Oxia Palus. The
image shows just the connection of this chain with the northern Sinus
Sabeaus edge.
10 inch Newtonian & ATK-1HS @ f/65 IR(G)B),
Ralf Vandebergh
November23,2005 - The long bright streak in the Chryse region is clearly a
new dust storm. Also, the albedo features Achilis Fons and Ideus Fons appear
washed out compared to the images taken last night. Is this dust storm related
to the small brightening noted in last nights images?
Thursday, 24th of November 2005
MARS DRAWING: J.D. Beish, Lake Placid, FL (27N21', 081W19')
16-in (41cm) f/6.9 Newtonian, Mag: 225-500 x
November 24, 2005, 0000 - 0030 UT, CM 001.7 - 007.8, Ls = 329, De = -18.0
Seeing: 5-6. Trans: 6, Alt: 45 deg. OAT: 11 C
NOTES: BC = 2 . Sky clear, M33 seen naked eye, seeing less than desirable.
Morning and evening limb arc/haze bright. Hellas either hazy or a cloud forming
in it. NPH bright. Dust streak in Chryse. Seeing just not good enough to make
detailed drawing of dust streak. SPC barely visible, but at times it seems to
be divided.
I remember observing on November 24 - 30, 1982 when a dust storm blew up and
I could not find anyone to verify it. So, after calling Don Parker's cousin
and speaking with Don, he was there for Thanksgiving meal, after telling him
of the dust storm he arranged to fly back home the next morning to observe and
photograph it.
Those were the days when we were dedicated. Can't remember if he imaged
anything or not because the storm subsided during the first week December
1982. The good old days.
Mars, November 24, 2005 UT
CM 68.7 degrees, De -18.0 degrees, Ls 329.3 degrees
Phase defect .985, Size 18.1"
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS at 224x with W23A red filter.
Clear, rapidly falling temperatures, moderate humidity, no wind. Earlier
attempts to observe blocked by poor seeing until about 04:30UT. Chryse very
bright in red filter. Aurorae, Solis Lacus & Erythraeum darkest. Tithonius
also dark. Nilokeras & S edge of Niliacus at edge of NPH. SPC not seen at
this magnification & seeing (~5/10). Sometimes a very thin bright streak seen
cutting into Eos at edge of Aurorae. Limb haze brighter & wider at evening
limb except for two bulges in morning limb haze seen in W38A blue filter.
Sometimes a tiny bright spot suspected at limb edge within NPH in W58 green
filter.
Jay Albert
Lake Worth, FL
TEC 200 Fl F/8
2X into 3X barlow
Seeing: Poor- Fair. 6-7/10
Atik color webcam. Registax
9:24- 28 PM EST November 24, 2005
2:24 - 2:28 UT November 25, 2005
The morning hazes and mists have been increasing over the past few weeks as
Don Parker and Christophe Pellier's images have been showing. I caught a long
delicate cloud of mist on the 24th. A high contrast enlargement shows its
shape very well, along with a second, smaller cloud to the south of it and a
third cloud just north of the SPC on the limb.
Friday, 25th of November 2005
I made a pair of observations of Mars on November 25, 2005 (06:30 and 07:00
U.T.) under average (5-6/10) seeing conditions. Much detail was noted over
the southern hemisphere, especially the Solis Lacus region. I welcome any
comments on my observations.
Date (U.T.): November 25, 2005
Time (U.T.): 06:30 (left image) and 07:00 (right image)
CM: 086.6 (left image) and 094.0 (right image)
Ls: 330.0 (Mid-Late Northern Winter/Southern Summer)
De -18.1, Ds -12.1, p 0.982, 17.85"
Instrument: 9" F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248x and 290x
Filters (Wratten): 30 and 38A
Seeing (1-10): 5-6, Antoniadi (I-V): III
Transparency (1-6): 5
Notes:
06:30 U.T. (Left image, IL/W30): The South Polar Cap (SPC) was very small and
brilliant (10/10) surrounded by a dark (3/10) collar. Mare Australe appeared
dusky to dull (4-5/10) and mottled. Solis Lacus was visible just preceding the
CM appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) with northern (Geryon (5/10) and Calydon
(4/10)) and southern (Ambrosia (5/10) and Bathys (4/10)) projections over
Thaumasia (7/10). Solis Lacus appeared to be mottled within during moments of
steady seeing. Nectar (3-4/10) was visibly connecting Solis Lacus to Mare
Erythraeum (3-4/10). Protei Regio appeared shaded to bright (6-7/10) within
Mare Erythraeum. Aurorae Sinus appeared as a dark (3/10), bifid projection from
the north-following border of Mare Erythraeum. Agathodaemon (Coprates) was
visible as a dark to dusky (3-4/10), curvilinear projection from the following
(western) border of Mare Erythraeum connecting to the Tithonius Lacus complex
(3-4/10, Melas Lacus, Noctis Lacus, Echus Lacus, Hebes Lacus, and Ius Lacus).
Bosporos Gemmatus was dark to dusky (3-4/10) with condensations within it.
Aonius Sinus (3/10) was visible following the CM. Daedalia appeared bright
(7/10) between Phasis and Araxes (5/10). Mare Sirenum was visible following
the CM, towards the following limb. and appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10).
Phaethontis appeared bright (7/10) south of Mare Sirenum. Niliacus Lacus
(3-4/10) and Mare Acidalium (4/10) were visible towards the north-preceding
limb, partially obscured by clouds/haze (8-9/10). Tharsis , Arcadia and
Amazonis appeared bright (7/10). Dusky to dull (4-5/10) albedo features were
noted over (or visible through) a semi-transparent North Polar Haze (NPH,
8-9/10). Thin and extremely bright (9/10) morning and evening limb hazes
(MLH and ELH) were noted as well.
07:00 U.T. (Right image, W38A): Solis Lacus and Mare Sirenum were visible
as dull (5/10) albedo features. Extremely bright (9/10) morning limb haze
(MLH) and evening limb haze (ELH) were visible as well.
Carlos E. Hernandez
MARS IMAGES, NOVEMBER 25th, 2005.
D. A. Peach. Loudwater, Buckinghamshire, UK.
9.25" (23.5cm) Celestron SCT @ f/42.
Lumenera Infinity 2-1 CCD camera.
Seeing very poor (Pickering 2-3.)
Transparency excellent (5.5mag.)
Wind gusty N (10-20mph.) No dew.
Alt= 53-54 degs.
Here are some images from Nov 25th. Take under very poor seeing using a new
Lumenera Infinity 2-1 camera attached to the 9.25" telescope. Weather has been
poor recently.
Not much to comment on in these. Some morning mists are present in Blue.
MARS DRAWING: J.D. Beish, Lake Placid, FL (27N21', 081W19')
16-in (41cm) f/6.9 Newtonian, Mag: 335-500 x
November 25, 2005, 0050 - 0130 UT, CM 3.7 - 13.6, Ls = 330, De = -18.1
Seeing: 7-8. Trans: 6, Alt: 60 deg. OAT: 18.3 C
NOTES: BC = 1 . Sky clear, M31&M33 seen naked eye, seeing good. Morning
and evening limb arc/haze bright. Hellas either cloudy. NPH bright, M. limb
cloud next to NPR. Chryse clear. SPC visible, fine detail -- at times it
seems to be divided.
TEC 200 Fl F/8
2X into 3X barlow
Seeing: Poor- Fair. 6-7/10
Atik color webcam. Registax
10:08- 10:12 PM EST November 25, 2005
3:08- 3:12 UT November 26, 2005
Saturday, 26th of November 2005
MARS IMAGES, NOVEMBER 26th, 2005.
D. A. Peach. Loudwater, Buckinghamshire, UK.
9.25" (23.5cm) Celestron SCT @ f/42.
Lumenera LU075M CCD camera.
Seeing again very poor (Pickering 2-3.)
Transparency fair (3.5mag) constant high clouds.
Wind NNW (5-10mph.) Light dew.
Alt= 50 degs.
Here are some images from Nov 26th. Seeing again terrible. Mare Serpentis
is strikingly dark in Blue light - much dark than Syrtis.
Mars Image:
Date: Nov. 26, 2005
16" Newt. working at F/22
Camera: Meade DSI Pro
Image: Stack of 655 images in RGB
Time: 02:12 UT
CM 14.70
Strong Northern polar hood and mourning clouds
evident.
Seeing: Fair to Good
James Hannon
Thomaston, Conn.
Sunday, 27th of November 2005
I made a pair of observations of Mars on November 27, 2005 (03:00 and 04:00
U.T.) under average to good (5-7/10) seeing conditions. Much detail was noted
over the southern hemisphere, especially between Sinus Sabaeus and Mare
Erythraeum. I welcome any comments that you may have on my observations.
Date (U.T.): November 27, 2005
Time (U.T.): 03:00 (left image) and 04:00 (right image)
CM: 017.6 (left image) and 032.2 (right image)
Ls: 331.0 (Mid-Late Northern Winter/Southern Summer)
De -18.3, Ds -11.7, p 0.98, 17.6"
Instrument: 9" F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248x, 290x, and 348x
Filters (Wratten): 30 and 38A
Seeing (1-10): 5-7, Antoniadi (I-V): III-II
Transparency (1-6): 5
Notes:
03:00 U.T. (Left image, IL/W30): The South Polar Cap (SPC) was very small
and brilliant (10/10) surrounded by a thin, dark (3/10) collar. Mare Australe
appeared dusky to dull (4-5/10) and mottled. Noachis appeared shaded to bright
(6-7/10). Pandorae Fretum appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) and mottled (with a
thin, bright (7/10) streak (cloud?) noted within it). Deucalionis Regio
appeared shaded to bright (6-7/10) with two, dull (5/10) bands across it.
Sinus Sabaeus and Sinus Meridiani appeared dark (3/10) preceding the CM
(Sigeus Portus (4/10) noted along the northern border of Sinus Sabaeus).
Iani Fretum (?) was noted as a dull (5/10) and diffuse band between Sinus
Meridiani (south-following border) and Margaritifer Sinus (preceding (or
eastern) border). Aeria, Arabia, Eden, Moab, and Aram appeared bright (7/10).
Ismenius Lacus appeared as a thin, dusky (4/10) wedge adjacent to an extremely
bright (9/10) North Polar Haze (NPH). Margaritifer Sinus appeared dark to
dusky (3-4/10) and mottled following the CM. Mare Erythraeum appeared dark to
dull (3-5/10) and mottled with bright (7/10) streaks within it (Pyrrhae
Regio?). Argyre appeared bright (7/10) over it's north-following sector
whereas the rest of the albedo feature appeared dusky to dull (4-5/10).
Aurorae Sinus appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) and bifid towards the following
limb. Chryse-Xanthe appeared bright (7/10) and free of dust. Niliacus Lacus
appeared as a dark (3/10) wedge adjacent to the NPH (portions of it visible
through the haze). Thin and extremely bright (9/10) morning and evening limb
hazes (MLH and ELH) were noted as well.
04:00 U.T. (Right image, W38A): Sabaeus Sinus, Sinus Meridiani, Margaritifer
Sinus, Mare Erythraeum, and Niliacus Lacus were visible as dull (5/10) albedo
features. Diffuse and bright (7/10) streaks were noted over Mare Erythraeum/
Argyre (water vapor clouds?). Extremely bright (9/10) morning limb haze (MLH),
evening limb haze (ELH), North Polar Haze (NPH), and South Polar Haze (SPH)
were visible as well.
Carlos E. Hernandez
MARS DRAWING: J.D. Beish, Lake Placid, FL (27N21', 081W19')
16-in (41cm) f/6.9 Newtonian, Mag: x
November 27, 2005, 0020 - 0035 UT, CM 338.5 - 342.2, Ls = 331, De = -18.3
Seeing: 9 - 10. Trans: 6, Alt: 48 deg. OAT: 20.4 C
NOTES: BC = 1. SPC has dull rift ~320 areographic longitude. Hellas surface
features, i.e., Zea Lacus and part of Peneus visible through haze. Evening
limb cloud over Hardriacum. EH, NP Hood bright, MH and morning cloud over
Argyre. Sky clear and steady, when up to over 1000X. With my eye problems
this magnification is becoming difficult to use. In perfect seeing I can
stretch the 16" f/6.9 to the highest limits with no apparent deterioration in
contrast or image quality. New Spectrum Coatings aluminum coat makes a
difference.
Monday, 28th of November 2005
I used the data from an imaging session on Nov 28 on Mars, to improve my
used technique to show subtle color differences better in the darker albedo
regions. As noted before here, the color differences of the western and
eastern parts of Syrtis Major are especially interesting. The western side
seems to be clearly brown/yellow/reddish while the eastern side clearly has
the general color of the large mares on that side of the planet. According
to this observation, there are some places in this region with other subtle
colors; as the southern part of Lapygia Viridis/northern edge of Hellas
contains some green; the northern edge of the Sinus Sabeaus-arm seems to have
a mix of green and brownish tints. The eastern edge of Syrtis Major is even
derogatory colored at all, with a kind of cyan tint. As far as I can
recognise, the patch of Nodus Alcyonius has more the color of western Syrtis,
but is hard to tell with certainty at this difficult position angle. I give
this another try at the next transit.
10 inch Newtonian & ATK-1HS @ f/35 LRGB)
Ralf Vandebergh
Tuesday, 29th of November 2005
RS IMAGES, NOVEMBER 29th, 2005.
D. A. Peach. Loudwater, Buckinghamshire, UK.
14" (35cm) Celestron SCT @ f/40.
Lumenera LU075M CCD camera.
Seeing good (Pickering 6-8.)
Transparency excellent (6.0mag.)
No wind. Heavy dew.
Alt= 54 degs.
Here are some images from the 29th. Some unexpected good seeing. Syrtis
Major is well presented. Most striking of all is the very dark Mare Serpentis
in Blue light.
Wednesday, 30th of November 2005
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