Mars Images — MarsWatch 2005
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
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