Solar&Planetary LtE Now for CMO/ISMO in May. 2024

Solar & Planetary LtE Now in May 2024

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¤••••• Subject : Mars: May 31, 2024

Received: 1 June 2024, 10:35 JST

Hi,

Here are my first images of Mars May 31, 2024 at 13:41 UT and 13:52 UT.

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/240531/FMl31May24.png

Thanks,

Frank J MELILLO (Holtsville, NY)

¤••••• Subject : Mars 31 May 0447UT IR

Received: 31 May 2024, 18:05 JST

Hi all,

Seeing was poor this morning, possibly a result of strong Jetstream overhead.

Aurorae Sinus is just below centre, with Solis Lacus still visible at upper right.

Mare Erythraeum is to the upper left of centre.

I have been watching the light area below the pole, initially thinking it might be the artefact that is sometimes seen, but the asymmetric appearance in this image may possibly indicate some dust near the south pole.

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/240531/CFs31May24.png

Best regards, Clyde

Clyde FOSTER (Khomas, NAMIBIA)

¤••••• Subject : Mars 30 May 0515UT IR RGB

Received: 30 May 2024, 21:45 JST

Hi all,

A later start this morning, with the view almost the same longitude as yesterday.

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/240530/CFs30May24.png

Best regards, Clyde

Clyde FOSTER (Khomas, NAMIBIA)

¤••••• Subject : Mars 29 May 0442UT IR RGB

Received: 29 May 2024, 22:46 JST

Hi all,

I had below average seeing this morning. I wasn’t overly happy with the final RGB, but during processing,

I did seem to notice a suspicious yellowish tinge to the upper left near the terminator. But certainly not definite, and hope to get a better look at that region tomorrow.

The image is centred on Valles Marineris/Ophir with Solis Lacus upper right of centre and Aurorae Sinus just left of centre.

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/240529/CFs29May24.png

Best regards, Clyde

Clyde FOSTER (Khomas, NAMIBIA)

¤••••• Subject : Saturn 20240528_IR

Received: 29 May 2024, 13:56 JST

Saturn IR image on 28 May 2024 UT.

Best regards,

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

Cebu Observatory

¤••••• Subject : Mars 20240528_R

Received: 29 May 2024, 13:53 JST

Mars R image on 28 May 2024 UT.

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/240528/Ak28May24.png

Best regards,

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

Cebu Observatory

¤••••• Subject : Mars 27 May 0457UT IR RGB

Received: 27 May 2024, 20:46 JST

Hi all,

Some periods of very good seeing this morning.

Similar view to the last few days, with Solis Lacus upper left of centre and Valles Marineris extending in from centre left.

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/240527/CFs27May24.png

Best regards, Clyde

Clyde FOSTER (Khomas, NAMIBIA)

¤••••• Subject : RE: Mars 26 May 0511UT IR RGB

Received: 27 May 2024, 17:47 JST

Hi all,

If you can kindly replace the image set from yesterday with this updated version.

The time at upper left was incorrect.All other info remains the same.

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/240526/CFs26May24p.png

Thanks and best regards, Clyde

Clyde FOSTER (Khomas, NAMIBIA)

¤••••• Subject : Mars 20240526

Received: 27May 2024, 11:56 JST

Mars image on 26 May 2024 UT.

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/240526/Ak26May24.png

Best regards,

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

Cebu Observatory

¤••••• Subject : Re: Mars 26 May 0511UT IR RGB

Received: 27 May 2024, 01:48 JST

Thanks, Clyde. Very nice image.

I'm not sure of which features I'm seeing, but I think it's Aquilae Fretum that's unusually prominent just north of the eastern end of Mare Sirenum. Also, a westward extension of Phoenicis Lacus that has been present for the last few apparitions is still seen, and Phasis (just west of Solis Lacus) is dark.

Roger

Roger VENABLE (Chester, GA )

¤••••• Subject : Mars 26 May 0511UT IR RGB

Received: 26 May 2024, 19:10 JST

Hi all,

Another very pleasant morning in the observatory, with good seeing despite a moderate Jetstream.

View is similar to the last few days with Solis Lacus upper left of centre and Valles Marineris centre left.

I forgot to mention yesterday that Mars has attained 5 arc-seconds.

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/240526/CFs26May24.png

Best regards, Clyde

Clyde FOSTER (Khomas, NAMIBIA)

¤••••• Subject : Saturn 20240525

Received: 26 May 2024, 14:02 JST

Saturn images on 25 May 2024 UT.

Best regards,

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

Cebu Observatory

¤••••• Subject : Mars 20240525

Received: 26 May 2024, 14:02 JST

Mars images on 25 May 2024 UT.

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/240525/Ak25May24.png

Best regards,

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

Cebu Observatory

¤••••• Subject : Mars 25 May 0414UT IR

Received: 25 May 2024, 17:16 JST

Hi all,

With strong Jetstream this morning, the unexpectedly good conditions I had for Saturn did not persist, and I just ran a series of IR’s on Mars.

Solis Lacus is upper left of centre with Valles Marineris extending in from the centre left.

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/240525/CFs25May24.png

Best regards, Clyde

Clyde FOSTER (Khomas, NAMIBIA)

¤••••• Subject : Saturn 20240523

Received: 24 May 2024, 18:16 JST

Saturn image on 23 May 2024 UT.

Best regards,

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

Cebu Observatory

¤••••• Subject : Mars 20240523

Received: 24 May 2024, 17:28 JST

Mars image on 23 May 2024 UT.

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/240523/Ak23May24.png

Best regards,

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

Cebu Observatory

¤••••• Subject : Mars 22 May 0451UT IR RGB

Received: 22 May 2024, 21:03 JST

Hi all,

Image set from this morning with M Sirenum still prominent above centre.

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/240522/CFs22May24.png

Best regards, Clyde

Clyde FOSTER (Khomas, NAMIBIA)

¤••••• Subject : The colors of Saturn in 2023-22 (III) Indices and more UV data

Received: 22 May 2024, 19:22 JST

Hi all, here are more UV data and some indices, where dividing one band with another brings interesting stuff.

1) Since last year I'm using a shorter UV-pass filter than the Chroma Bessel U, the Asahi 340. Used with the T620 AstroQueyras without barlow at an altitude of 3000 meters, the filter succesfully detected the increase of albedo of the planet before 350 nm. Actually on that band, the southern hemisphere around 40°S is brighter than the rings !

My photometry of that filter failed (the only one) so I have evaluated the expected value by looking at the Saturn spectrum inside the passband of the filter. While in the U band the albedo is around 20%, through the UV340 it raises to 0,22.

The Chroma U used at the AstroQueyras Observatory looks to produce more contrast between the EZ and the rest of the globe, maybe because at that good site, shorter wavelengths are caught, despite the filter and the camera being exactly the same.

Then, in the scientific litterature (Karkoschka, Sanchez-Lavega...) we find 2 indices:

2) Dividing blue by red produces a color index, where we measure how red or how blue are the Saturn latitudes. The index correctly shows that the southern winter hemisphere was noticeably bluer over the past years, and it also correctly shows that it has reddened in 2023 in comparison with 2022 (from blue to green).

Let's see how it turns in 2024, the winter hemisphere looks bluer to me than last year so far...

3) Dividing CH4 by UV. This should be done with a UVB filter (in the litterature we find data from the F275M HST filter), but of course it is impossible from the ground.

To the contrary of Jupiter however, the aspect of Saturn in UVA is much closer to that of UVB, so I tried it anyways. This index measures how high/opaque are the clouds, and without any surprise the Equatorial Zone is occupied by noticeably higher and thicker clouds than elsewhere. Ricardo again, I don't know if it is acceptable on Saturn to measure this index through UVA ?

On the next time I will send my data about the rings

Best wishes

Christophe

Christophe PELLIER (Nantes, FRANCE)

Planetary astronomy and imaging

¤••••• Subject : Mars 21 May 0429UT IR

Received: 21 May 2024, 16:31 JST

Hi all,

Due to time limitations today I limited the session to IR captures.

Seeing had also deteriorated from the earlier Saturn session, possibly due to a pre-dawn breeze that had developed.

M Sirenum is the most prominent feature above centre.

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/240521/CFs21May24.png

Best regards, Clyde

Clyde FOSTER (Khomas, NAMIBIA)

¤••••• Subject : Mars 20240520

Received: 21 May 2024, 11:33 JST

Mars image on 20 May 2024 UT.

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/240520/Ak20May24.png

Best regards,

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

Cebu Observatory

¤••••• Subject : Saturn 20240520

Received: 21 May 2024, 11:18 JST

Saturn image on 20 May 2024 UT.

Best regards,

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

Cebu Observatory

¤••••• Subject : Mars 20 May 0447UT IR RGB

Received: 20 May 2024, 23:30 JST

Hi all,

Image set from this morning. M Sirenum above centre.

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/240520/CFs20May24.png

Best regards, Clyde

Clyde FOSTER (Khomas, NAMIBIA)

¤••••• Subject : Mars 2024/05/17-Kumamori

Received: 20 May 2024, 09:38 JST

Mars IR image on 17 May 2024 UT.

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/240517/Km17May24.png

Best regards,

Teruaki KUMAMORI (Osaka, JAPAN)

¤••••• Subject : Mars 19 May 0418UT IR

Received: 19 May 2024, 22:51 JST

Hi all,

Conditions were poor this morning and I was only able to use a limited number of IR captures.

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/240519/CFs19May24.png

Best regards, Clyde

Clyde FOSTER (Khomas, NAMIBIA)

¤••••• Subject : Mars 15 May 0520UT IR RGB

Received: 16 May 2024, 05:27 JST

Hi all,

I have been clouded out the last few mornings, and although clear this morning, seeing was below average.

I did not feel that the RGB data was good enough and stuck with the best IR captures of the morning.

M Cimmerium is the most prominent feature.

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/240515/CFs15May24.png

Best regards, Clyde

Clyde FOSTER (Khomas, NAMIBIA)

¤••••• Subject : Mars 11 May 0533UT IR RGB

Received: 11 May 2024, 17:49 JST

Hi all,

Having had to abort an earlier session due to cloud build up,

I realised it was clearing and went back out to the observatory.

The sky was already brightening, and I struggled with the B captures.

The image is centred on Mare Tyrrenhum and Syrtis Minor, with Hesperia quite obvious.

Syrtis Major to the right. Some regions of Hellas, at upper right, appear to show as bright.

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/240511/CFs11May24.png

Best regards, Clyde

Clyde FOSTER (Khomas, NAMIBIA)

¤••••• Subject : Mars 6 May 0456UT IR RGB

Received: 7 May 2024, 18:15 JST

Hi all,

Image set from yesterday morning under fairly decent conditions.

Looking down on Hellas and Syrtis Major.

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/240506/CFs06May24.png

Best regards, Clyde

Clyde FOSTER (Khomas, NAMIBIA)

¤••••• Subject : Saturn 20240506

Received: 7 May 2024, 11:48 JST

Saturn image on 6 May 2024 UT.

Best regards,

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

Cebu Observatory

¤••••• Subject : Mars 20240506

Received: 7 May 2024, 11:46 JST

Mars IR image on 6 May 2024 UT.

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/240506/Ak06May24.png

Best regards,

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

Cebu Observatory

¤••••• Subject : Mars 5 May 0452UT IR RGB

Received: 5 May 2024, 22:43 JST

Hi all,

I was a bit sidetracked this morning with chasing Eta Aquariids but did manage this image set towards sunrise. Conditions were not bad until the end of the G run and then went badly downhill for the B’s, so the B is very poor.

Tried to put the RGB together as best I could.

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/240505/CFs05May24.png

Best regards, Clyde

Clyde FOSTER (Khomas, NAMIBIA)

¤••••• Subject : Mars 4 May 0501UT IR

Received: 4 May 2024, 16:28 JST

Hi all,

Another session where I had to stay with IR, as clouds were moving in.

A pity as I had some very nice conditions for Saturn a bit earlier.

Syrtis Major coming into view at lower left and Hellas at upper left

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/240504/CFs04May24.png

Best regards, Clyde

Clyde FOSTER (Khomas, NAMIBIA)

¤••••• Subject : Mars 3 May 0503UT IR

Received: 3 May 2024, 16:51 JST

Hi all,

As with Saturn, I had generally poor conditions this morning, with some improvement right at the end of the session. Due to the conditions I only captured IR data.

As with yesterday, some light areas are seen in Hellas.

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/240503/CFs03May24.png

Best regards, Clyde

Clyde FOSTER (Khomas, NAMIBIA)