Mars Images — MarsWatch 2005

Saturday, 18th of February 2006

Here are some images from Feb 18th. Good seeing, but caught through a 
20min clearing in the clouds very late with Mars well past the meridian. 
Similar details to yesterday with the NPC nicely seen, and SPH prominent.
 
Damian

Sunday, 19th of February 2006

I made a pair of observations of Mars on February 19, 2006 (00:45 and 
01:05 U.T.) using two excellent instruments (6" F/15 Refractor and a 
10" F/9 Newtonian) belonging to a friend (Michael Palermiti, Jupiter, 
Florida). The apparent diameter of the planet was small (7.6"), but I 
was able to pick out detail when the seeing steadied for brief moments 
at a time. The red planet stills continue to provide views for us 
earthlings. I welcome any comments on my observations.

Date (U.T.): February 19, 2006
Time (U.T.): 00:45 (left image) and 01:05 (right image)
CM: 297.5 (left image) and 282.3 (right image)
Ls: 013.9 (Early Northern Spring/Southern Autumn)
De: -11.3, Ds: 5.8, p 0.89, 7.6"
Instrument: 6" F/15 Refractor (left image) and 10" F/9 Newtonian (right image)
Filters: None
Seeing (1-10): 5-6, Antoniadi (I-V): III
Transparency (1-6): 6

Notes:
00:45 U.T. (Left image, CM 297.5, 6" F/15 Refractor): Mare Cimmerium 
appears dark to dusky (3-4/10) preceding the CM. Hesperia appears as 
a light (7/10) division between Mare Cimmerium and Mare Tyrrhenum. Mare 
Tyrrhenum and Syrtis Minor appears dark to dusky (3-4/10) following the 
CM. Mare Chronium appears dusky (4/10) preceding the CM towards the 
South-preceding limb. Eridania and Ausonia appear shaded to bright 
(6-7/10). Mare Hadriacum appears dark to dusky (3-4/10) over the eastern 
(preceding) border of Hellas (8-9/10). Iapygia Viridis appears dusky 
(4/10) and Syrtis Major dark to dusky (3-4/10) towards the following 
limb. Aeolis and Aethiopis appears bright (7/10). Libya appears bright 
to very bright (7-8/10, haze?). Very bright to extremely bright (8-9/10) 
haze is visible over the south polar, preceding (evening), north polar, 
and following (morning) limbs.

01:05 U.T. (Right image, CM 282.3, 10" F/9 Newtonian): The above 
description (00:45 U.T.) applies to this observation with the addition 
of a greater clarity of albedo features. The Hyblaeus Extension (4-5/10) 
was visible towards the northern limb. The preceding (eastern) portions 
of Hellespontus (4/10) and Sabaeus Sinus (3/10) were visible over the 
following limb.

Carlos E. Hernandez

Monday, 20th of February 2006

Here are some images from this evening. Pretty good seeing, but gusty winds. 
The NPC southern edge is seen again, but the SPH seems even more brilliant 
and condensed this session than previously.
 
Damian

Tuesday, 21st of February 2006

Thursday, 23rd of February 2006

Friday, 24th of February 2006

Here are some images from this evening. Pretty good seeing, but very gusty 
easterly winds and lots of scattered low clouds with poor transparency above 
that due to high clouds.
 
Some interesting detail is seen now Solis Lacus has become visible. Arsia, 
Ascraeus and Olympus Mons are all seen as small dark spots in Red. Olympus 
also looks dark in blue. Brilliant clouds over Ophir/Candor. The SPH is 
bright with an extension of mist extending across Solis Lacus. The NPC edge 
is seen in red.
 
Damian

Saturday, 25th of February 2006

Here are some images from this evening. Really terrible conditions with 
easterly winds gusting to ~40km/h at times!. Seeing was fair, but lots of 
scattered low clouds.
 
Much the same as yesterday. Olympus Mons is seen as a dark spot near the 
terminator. Ascraeus and Arsia Mons are also seen as dark spots. The SPH 
is bright to the south of Solis Lacus.  Some mist over Aurorae Sinus.
 
Damian

Monday, 27th of February 2006

Tuesday, 28th of February 2006

Here are some images from Feb 28th. Fair seeing. Solis Lacus is central. 
The SPH is bright, also a bright mist over Chryse. The NPC is also seen. 
Ascraeus and Arsia Mons can be seen as small spots.
 
Damian

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