Mars Images — MarsWatch 2005
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
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