Mars Images — MarsWatch 2005
Sunday, 01st of January 2006
Monday, 02nd of January 2006
I made an observation of Mars on January 2-3, 2006 (23:50 and 00:30 U.T.,
respectively) under average to good seeing conditions (5-7/10). A good
amount of detail may still be noted over the planet if one is patient.
Hellas appeared very bright (8/10) towards the preceding limb. I welcome
any comments that you may have on my observation.
Date (U.T.): January 2-3, 2006
Time (U.T.): 23:50 (left image) and 00:30 (right image)
CM: 351.2 (left image) and 001.0 (right image)
Ls 350.6, De -18.5, Ds -3.9, p 0.91, 11.8"
Instrument: 9-inch (23-cm) F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248x, 271x, and 348x
Filters: Klee OPS Barlow
Seeing (1-10): 5-7, Antoniadi (I-V): III-II
Transparency (1-6): 4-5
Notes:
23:50 U.T. (Left image, Jan. 2, 2006, 351.2): The South Polar Cap (SPC)
was not visible at this time. Mare Australe appeared dusky to dull (4-5/10).
Sinus Sabaeus and Sinus Meridiani appeared dark (3/10) and prominent on
the CM. Deucalionis Regio appeared shaded to bright (6-7/10). The preceding
(eastern) half of Pandorae Fretum appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) and its
following (western) half dull (5/10). Hellespontus appeared dark to dusky
(3-4/10). Noachis appeared dusky to shaded (4-6/10) and mottled. Syrtis
Major was visible on the preceding limb and appeared dark to dull (3-5/10)
with bright to very bright (7-8/10) haze over it. Iapygia Viridis appeared
dusky (4/10) and mottled. Hellas appeared very bright (8/10. connecting to
an extremely bright (9/10) evening limb haze (ELH). Aeria, Arabia, Moab,
and Eden appeared bright (7/10). Mare Acidalium (3-5/10) was partially
obscured by a bright to very bright (7-8/10) haze over the north-following
limb. Mare Erythraeum and Margaritifer Sinus appeared dark to dull (3-5/10)
towards the following limb. Extremely bright (9/10) morning limb haze (MLH),
evening limb haze (ELH), North Polar Region (NPR), and South Polar Region
(SPR) were visible as well.
00:30 U.T. (Right image, Jan. 3, 2006, CM 001.0): A very bright to extremely
bright (8-9/10) cloud (haze) was visible over Hellas. Sinus Sabaeus, Sinus
Meridiani, and Mare Erythraeum appeared dull (5/10). Noachis appeared shaded
(6/10). Extremely bright (9/10) MLH, ELH, NPR, and SPR were visible.
Carlos E. Hernandez
Tuesday, 03rd of January 2006
Wednesday, 04th of January 2006
Here are some images from the 4th. Fair to good seeing. As Christophe
already mentioned Hellas shows a misty bulge on the morning terminator,
while there is also a misty cloud over Libya. There does seems some
mistiness over the SPC also.
Damian
Thursday, 05th of January 2006
Date (UT): 5 January 2006 Time (UT): 17:25h
CM: 230° H: 59° Dec: 17°02'14"
De: -19° Ls: 25°° φ: 11"
Telescope Schmidt-Cassegrain 280 (f/25)
Seeing: (0-10 scale) 5 Trans.: (0-6) 4 moon
(10 = excellent)
Magnification: 350x / 380x
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 was not visible at this time
- M. SIRENUM, M.CIMMERIUM, M.TYRRHENUM and S. MAJOR appeared dark
- HELLAS appeared normal (1)

Mars, January 5, 2006 UD
CM 41.4 degrees, De -18.3 degrees, Ls 351.6 degrees
Phase defect .912, Size 11.6"
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS at 311x with W23A red filter.
Clear, cool, humid, no wind, Moon set. First decent seeing in almost 2
months. Mars ~55 degrees high in W. Chryse very bright, SPC not seen,
NPH thin but bright. Very bright haze in center of P limb. Niliacus
Lacus & Acidalia prominent in N. Meridiani at P limb & Solis Lacus at
F limb. Margaritifer, Aurorae & Erythraeum darkest, most prominent features.
Atmosphere clear in W38A blue filter with evening limb haze diminishing
in brightness toward S limb. NPH brighter in W58 green filter than
in blue filter.
Jay Albert
Lake Worth, FL
Friday, 06th of January 2006
Saturday, 07th of January 2006
Attached is an image obtained on Jan 07, showing a moderate bright cloud
above Hellas. It was already obvious during live-capturing on the screen
in blue light. The color IRB image shows it nicely too.
10 inch Newtonian & ATK.-1HS @ f/35--IR(G)B)
Ralf Vandebergh
Sunday, 08th of January 2006
Monday, 09th of January 2006
Tuesday, 10th of January 2006
Wednesday, 11th of January 2006
Date (UT): 11 January 2006 Time (UT): 17:27h
CM: 173° H: 55° Dec: 17°39'28"
De: -18° Ls: 355° φ: 10.8"
Telescope Schmidt-Cassegrain 280 (f/25)
Seeing: (0-10 scale) 4-5 Trans.: (0-6) 3 hazy / moon
(10 = excellent)
Magnification: 350x / 380x
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:
- M. CIMMERIUM, and MARE SIRENUM appeared dark
- HAZE over ERIDANUS (1)
- Whit SPOT over SYRIA — CLARITAS (2)
- The NPC — NPH was very small
Thursday, 12th of January 2006
TMB 8" F/9
2X into 3x barlow
0:59- 1:03 UT January 13, 2006
Seeing 7-8/10
Atik Color Camera. Registax.
Jim Phillips
January 12, 2006 - Some brightening in the northern Hellas region probably
due to thin clouds. Also some at the tip of Syrtis Major. A bright spot
is clearly showing in the Aetheria region which has the look of a possible
small dust storm.
Friday, 13th of January 2006
Date (UT): 13 January 2006 Time (UT): 17:55h
CM: 161° H: 58° Dec: 17°52'37"
De: -18° Ls: 35° φ: 10"
Telescope Schmidt-Cassegrain 280 (f/25)
Seeing: (0-10 scale) 6 Trans.: (0-6) 1 full moon
(10 = excellent)
Magnification: 350x / 380x
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:
-MARE SIRENUM and Mare CIMMERIUM were dark
-White cloud over THARSIS (1)
-The NPH is bright
Saturday, 14th of January 2006
Sunday, 15th of January 2006
I made an observation of Mars on January 15, 2006 (00:20 and 00:45 U.T.)
under average seeing conditions (4-5/10, with very brief moments of 6/10).
Mare Cimmerium and Mare Tyrrhenum were prominent on the CM. A very bright
(8/10) cloud was visible over Hellas. I welcome any comments that you may
have on my observation.
Date (U.T.): January 15, 2006
Time (U.T.): 00:20 (left image) and 00:45 (right image)
CM: 245.4 (left image) and 251.4 (right image)
Ls 356.7, De -17.3, Ds -1.4, p 0.90, 10.4"
Instrument: 9-inch (23-cm) F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248x and 271x
Filters: Klee OPS Barlow and W38A
Seeing (1-10): 4-5, Antoniadi (I-V): III
Transparency (1-6): 5
Notes.
00:20 U.T. (Left image, CM 245.4, Klee OPS Barlow): An extremely bright
(9/10) South Polar Haze (SPH) was visible (the South Polar Cap (SPC) was
not visible). Mare Chronium appeared dusky to dull (4-5/10) preceding the
CM. Eridania and Ausonia appeared bright (7/10). Hellas appeared very
bright (8/10) over the south-following limb. Mare Cimmerium appeared dark
to dusky (3-4/10) preceding the CM. Hesperia appeared bright to very
bright (7-8/10). Mare Tyrrhenum and Syrtis Minor appeared dark to dusky
(3-4/10) following the CM. Syrtis Major appeared dull (5/10) and obscured
by very bright to extremely bright (8-9/10) haze over the following (morning)
limb. Aeolis, Aethiopis, and Aetheria appeared bright (7/10). The Hyblaeus
Extension appeared dusky to dull (4-5/10) on the CM towards the northern
limb. Extremely bright (9/10) morning limb haze (MLH), evening limb haze
(ELH), and a North Polar Haze (NPH) were noted as well.
00:45 U.T. (Right image, CM 251.4, W38A): Mare Cimmerium, Mare Tyrrhenum
and Mare Chronium appeared dusky to dull (4-5/10). A very bright (8/10)
cloud (haze) was noted over Electris over the south-preceding limb. A very
bright (8/10) cloud (haze) was noted over Hellas over the south-following
limb. Extremely bright (9/10) morning limb haze (MLH), evening limb haze
(ELH), South Polar Haze (SPH), and a North Polar Haze (NPH) were noted as well.
The best of luck imaging and observing Mars as it becomes smaller in apparent
size.
Carlos E. Hernandez
Monday, 16th of January 2006
Tuesday, 17th of January 2006
Here are some images from this evening. Seeing was poor as we are currently
under the jetstream. Weather has been really poor this month with seemingly
endless overcast days!
Solis Lacus is back in view here. Some bright cloud over Candor. Also some
light mist over Ausonia. The NPH remains prominent and bright. A faint SPH
is present. There is no Arsia Mons cloud, and Ascraeus/Olympus can be seen
in the R image as faint dusky spots. Olympus is also dark in Blue.
Damian
Mars, January 17, 2006 UD
CM 269.1 degrees, De -17.0 degrees, Ls 357.7 degrees
Phase defect .901, Size 10.2"
Celestron NexStar 11 GPS at 400x with W23A red filter.
Mostly clear with some cirrus, cool, humid, no wind, Moon low in E. Best
seeing since August. Mars ~60 degrees high in W. Syrtis Major, Syrtis
Minor, Tyrrhenum & Cimmerium all dark & prominent. Hesperia a relatively
bright cut between Tyrrhenum & Cimmerium. N part of Hellas brighter than
S part. SPC or SPH not seen. NPH bright & thin along N limb. Very bright
cloud or bulging limb haze center of P limb. Atmosphere clear in W38A blue
filter with bright evening limb haze. NPH brighter in W58 green filter.
Visual observation of coarse detail still easy in good seeing, but Mars'
diminutive size makes visual observation of fine detail almost impossible
in my 11" SCT.
Jay Albert
Lake Worth, FL
Wednesday, 18th of January 2006
Thursday, 19th of January 2006
Friday, 20th of January 2006
Here are some images from the 20th. Very poor seeing. Note the bright mist
over Chryse on the limb, while there is also faint mist over Argyre and
Daedelia/Southern Solis Lacus. The NPH remians brilliant.
Damian
Saturday, 21st of January 2006
Here are some images from the 21st. Good seeing. Lots of interesting cloud
activity. Argyre is well defined and bright in Blue. The SPH is nicely
defined. Also a bright cloud across Daedelia. Also weak mists across
Candor/Ophir and Tharsis. The NPH remians bright.
Ascraeus Mons dark in red, and very dark in blue. Olympus Mons on the
terminator appears very dark in the 1837ut image. Arsia Mons is a dark
spot in Red.
Damian
Sunday, 22nd of January 2006
Here are some images from yesterday. Good seeing. Ascraeus Mons is
prominent toward the terminator as a small dark spot. Not as much
cloud acivity as the 21st. Argyre is rather less misty than the day
before. Also the SPH is much weaker.
Damian
Monday, 23rd of January 2006
Date (UT): 23 January 2006 Time (UT): 17:56h
CM: 67° H: 61° Dec: 19°00'40"
De: -16° Ls: 1° φ: 9"
Telescope Schmidt-Cassegrain 280 (f/25)
Seeing: (0-10 scale) 6 - 7 Trans. : (0-6) 5 windy
(10 = excellent)
Magnification: 350x / 380x
Filters: Schott: OG 550 orange
Wratten: W 64 blue/green
Zeiss: VG 6 (green)
W 80a blue
W 85 salmon
Observer Station: Observer:
7° 18' (E) / 48° 01' (N) Teichert Gérard
Hattstatt (France)
Observing notes:
- MARE ERYTHRAEUM appeared dull
- NILIALACUS LACUS appeared dusky to dull
- Bright cloud was noted over PAVONIS LACUS (1)
- The NPH was visible (fading)
This is a blue light image of Mars, obtained on Jan 23, at 20:08 UTC
10 inch Newtonian & ATK-1HS @f/35,Astronomik blue filter)
Ralf Vandebergh
Tuesday, 24th of January 2006
Here are some images from Jan 24th. Good seeing. Note the bright cloud
over Argyre. Also the SPH seems to extend someway northward along the
terminator. The NPH is still very prominent at this longtiude with no
sign of the NPC edge in red light.
Damian
Date (UT): 24 January 2006 Time (UT): 18:20h
CM: 63° H: 61° Dec: 19°07'46"
De: -16° Ls: 2° φ: 9.4"
Telescope Schmidt-Cassegrain 280 (f/25)
Seeing: (0-10 scale) 5-6 Trans.: (0-6) 5
(10 = excellent)
Magnification: 350x / 380x
Filters: Schott: OG 550 orange
Wratten: W 64 blue/green
Zeiss: VG 6 (green)
W 80a blue
W 85 salmon
Observer Station: Observer:
7° 18' (E) / 48° 01' (N) Teichert Gérard
Hattstatt (France)
Observing notes:
-MARE ERYTHREUM is very dark
-NOACHIS appeared bright (1)
-NILIACUS LACUS can hardly be seen, appears faded
-The NPH appears faded
This is an observation obtained on Jan 24, 19:32-19:40 UTC
This evening provided actually a first good seeing since October(!!!)
for Mars, thanks to high cirrus which causes a very poor transparance
for this session.
-Solis Lacus is recognisable in the blue light image as a dark center
with an obvious bright area left from it. The haze above Argyre is also
visible well.
-The R(G)B color image shows a nice view of both the Nectar and the
Vallis Marineris regions.
-Phoenicis Lacus looks elongated again.
10 inch Newtonian reflector & ATK-1HS @ f/40)
Ralf Vandebergh
Wednesday, 25th of January 2006
Here are some images from Jan 25th. Fair to poor seeing, with large
amounts of cloud causing problems. The cloud over Argyre is fainter
than the day before.
Damian
Date (UT): 25 January 2006 Time (UT): 18:32h
CM: 56° H: 61° Dec: 19°16'50"
De: -16° Ls: 2° φ: 9"
Telescope Schmidt-Cassegrain 280 (f/25)
Seeing: (0-10 scale) 6-7 Trans.: (0-6) 5
(10 = excellent)
Magnification: 350x / 380x
Filters: Schott: OG 550 orange
Wratten: W 64 blue/green
Zeiss: VG 6 (green)
W 80a blue
W 85 salmon
Observer Station: Observer:
7° 18' (E) / 48° 01' (N) Teichert Gérard
Hattstatt (France)
Observing notes:
-High contrast in MARE ERYTHRAEUM
-NEREIDUM FRETUM ca hardly be see
-NILIUS LACUS is difficult to seen
-NOACHIS appeared bright (1)
-CLARITAS also looked misted (2)
-The NPH was weak on the day
Thursday, 26th of January 2006
Friday, 27th of January 2006
Saturday, 28th of January 2006
Sunday, 29th of January 2006
Here some images from this evening. Good seeing. This was my 100th
night of Mars imaging this apparition!. It all seems to have gone
by so quickly!.
Hellas is misty on the limb, with the SPH is weakly visible. Some
faint mists over Edom and Deltoton Sinus. Deuteronilus is dark as
is Ismenius Lacus.
Damian
Date (UT): 29 January 2006 Time (UT): 18:25h
CM: 17° H: 62° Dec: 19°42'54"
De: -15° Ls: 4° φ: 9"
Telescope Schmidt-Cassegrain 280 (f/25)
Seeing: (0-10 scale) 8 Trans.: (0-6) 5
(10 = excellent)
Magnification: 350x / 380x
Filters: Schott: OG 550 orange
Wratten: W 64 blue/green
Zeiss: VG 6 (green)
W 80a blue
W 85 salmon
Observer Station: Observer:
7° 18' (E) / 48° 01' (N) Teichert Gérard
Hattstatt (France)
Observing notes:
-The Martian atmosphere is more transparent than usual !
-ARGYRE and HELLAS also looked misted , appeared bright
-The southern area of MARE ACIDALIUM (NULIACUS LACUS)
-Are dark
-The NPH is bright
This is an image obtained on Jan 29, at 18:05 UTC
Seeing was poor after 2 days with clear skies but even terrible
poor seeing(no capture possible) due to strong wind possibly) but
now it was at least usable by capturing more frames then usual and
get the short fair moments out of it.
We see Sinus Sabeaus. The blue light image shows a moderate bright NPH
10 inch Newtonian & ATK-1HS @ f/40 IR(G)B)
Ralf Vandebergh
Monday, 30th of January 2006
Tuesday, 31st of January 2006
Date (UT): 31 January 2006 Time (UT): 17:58h
CM: 351° H: 62° Dec: 19°56'49"
De: -15° Ls: 5° φ: 8"
Telescope Schmidt-Cassegrain 280 (f/25)
Seeing: (0-10 scale) 6 Trans.: (0-6) 5
(10 = excellent)
Magnification: 350x / 380x
Filters: Schott: OG 550 orange
Wratten: W 64 blue/green
Zeiss: VG 6 (green)
W 80a blue
W 85 salmon
Observer Station: Observer:
7° 18' (E) / 48° 01' (N) Teichert Gérard
Hattstatt (France)
Observing notes:
-ARGYRE and HELLAS also looked misted, appeared bright
-The southern area of MARE ACIDALIUM (NULIACUS LACUS) are dark
-SYRTIS MAJOR and MARE ERYTHRAEUM were noted dark
-The NPH is bright
This is a set of images obtained on jan 31 from 18:16-18:22 UTC
(seeing poor/some fair short moments)
-the shovel-shape of Sinus Sabeaus is good recognizable.
Hellas, just at the limb, is bright in both near-IR and blue images.
10 inch Newtonian & ATK-1HS @ f/35--IRsGB)
Ralf Vandebergh
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