Solar＆Planetary LtE Now for
CMO/ISMO #57 (CMO #431)
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every email is necessarily cited in the PDF’s CMO LtE
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see the preceding ones, click
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latest is at the top
¤····Subject: Mars
Received: 2 February
2015 at 03:15 JST
Good evening all
Red image from this evening.
Sinus Sabaeus central. Syrtis Major coming into view and Hellas is clearly
shown. SPC again compact but visible.
Best regards,
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2013/150201/CFs01Feb15.jpg
Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH
AFRICA)
¤····Subject: Mars
Received: 2 February
2015 at 00:53 JST
Hi all
I did manage to get a
few R and IR avi's on the 30 January, but was not happy with any processed
results on the evening. I had another go at processing today and although the
results are still not good, am submitting "for the record". A little
bit of detail visible, more so in IR.
Best regards,
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2013/150130/CFs30Jan15.jpg
Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH
AFRICA)
¤····Subject: Jupiter
images -
Received: 31 January
2015 at 03:25 JST
Hi all, here are some
images taken under better seeing, although jet-stream was still there.
http://www.astrosurf.com/pellier/j2015-01-25_01-56_rgb_cp
http://www.astrosurf.com/pellier/j2015-01-25_02-16_rir_cp
http://www.astrosurf.com/pellier/j2015-01-25_02-34_ch4_cp
http://www.astrosurf.com/pellier/j2015-01-25_03-25_rgb_cp
http://www.astrosurf.com/pellier/j2015-01-25_03-42_ir_cp
http://www.astrosurf.com/pellier/j2015-01-25_03-58_ch4_cp
Best
wishes,
Christophe PELLIER (Nantes, FRANCE)
Planetary astronomy and imaging
¤····Subject: Mars
Received: 29 January
2015 at 03:50 JST
Good evening all
Weather conditions have been poor over the last week. I had a
little bit of clear sky this afternoon and managed to capture a few R avi's
(looks like that is going to become my standard for any remaining images this
apparition), with the attached image being the best result I could get. Seeing
was very poor, and altitude was 23 degrees.
Mare Erythraeum prominent, with Margaritifer Sinus visible. Sinus
Sabeus and Sinus Meridiani can also be seen. Possible light patches in the
region of Argyre. Edom /Moab region coming into view and looks very bright (may
be a bit over processed). Hellas also coming into view upper left and also
showing as brightish. SPC compact and clearly seen.
Best regards,
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2013/150128/CFs28Jan15.jpg
Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH
AFRICA)
¤····Subject: Solar
Images 22/23/24-Jan-2015
Received: 27 January
2015 at 07:29 JST
Hi Guys Here are a few
images from a recent cold blue spell. New spot group AR2268 is shown just onto
the disc on the 22nd. Progress is shown in both Ha (wide field) and White
light.
Seeing was generally
poor throughout.
Best wishes
Dave TYLER (Bucks, the UK)
www.david-tyler.com
Ham call G4PIE
¤····Subject: Tharsis
volcanoes
Received: 26 January
2015 at 23:18 JST
Dear Clyde,
Yes, I read ALPO Mars Section Coordinator Dr.Roger VENABLE's comment in his
LtE on your 20 Jan. image. I also find WinJupos to be very useful for various
purposes. When judging the existence of large-scale delicate markings on a
Martian image, however, I often prefer "my eyes" over the
sophisticated software;the configuration of the three dark spots with other
major dark markings as Solis L., Tithonius L., Phoenisis L. and M. Sirenum
feels quite natural to my eyes. Also, it is said that near the terminator
darkening zone is less critical than the sharp-edged limb area for planetary
imagers in terms of producing artifacts by excessive processing.
Just to make
sure that my feeling above hit the mark, I have WinJuposly measured the
location of the dark patches myself, and found all of them showing good matches
to their real geographic positions.
Please find attached
the measurement of the possible Arsia Mons (red arrowed) on your 20 Jan. R
image.
Good Seeing, Good Health!
Reiichi KONNAÏ (Fukushima, JAPAN)
¤····Subject: Re:
Tharsis Trio and Olympus
Received: 26 January
2015 at 03:32 JST
Dear Reiichi
Thank you for your comments and also the comparison images.
I suspected that the
dark spots may be the Tharsis Montes, but I did get some feedback from someone
who did an analysis of my image in WinJupos software, and apparently the
locations did not match. So unfortunately it is possible that the dark spots
may just be noise from the processing. I also have Winjupos, so I will try and
replicate what he did and see if I get the same result. I appreciate your continued
interest in my images.
Thank you also for the comments regarding my friend Asada-san!
Best regards,
Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH
AFRICA)
¤····Subject: Tharsis
Trio and Olympus
Received: 26 January
2015 at 01:18 JST
Dear Clyde,
On your R Martian image on 20 January 2015, I believe the three Tharsis
Montes are quite plainly discernable as a trio of diagonal dark spots. While
Olympus Mons on the dawn terminator is delicate, but I guess the southeastern
lobe of the Olympus Mons Aureole may be shown as a larger shadowy patch near
the terminator. Please find attached a montage comparing your image with
Teruaki KUMAMORI's ones in 2003 just on the same season day with similar
conditions of the viewing angle.
Best Regards,
Reiichi KONNAI
PS: As for your good old friend ASADA-san you remembered fondly in your email
the other day, I don't think it's likely to be any connection between two
ASADAs. Asada is relatively a common family name in our country. Dr. Tadashi
ASADA on the Advisory Board of the CMO/ISMO is a professional planetary
astronomer.
Reiichi KONNAÏ (Fukushima, JAPAN)
¤····Subject: Jupiter
images, 22-23 January 2015
Received: 26 January
2015 at 00:05 JST
Hi all,
Again average seeing for that night. Interesting very dark spot in
"N4TB" at (L2 59° ; +50°N), dark as well in CH4.
http://www.astrosurf.com/pellier/j2015-01-22_23-50_rir_cp
http://www.astrosurf.com/pellier/j2015-01-23_00-06_rgb_cp
http://www.astrosurf.com/pellier/j2015-01-23_00-26_ch4_cp
http://www.astrosurf.com/pellier/j2015-01-23_00-43_rir_cp
Best wishes
Christophe PELLIER (Nantes, FRANCE)
Planetary astronomy and imaging
¤····Subject: Jupiter
triple shadow transit 2015 January 24
Received: 25 January
2015 at 08:47 JST
This was very low in the sky and seeing was terrible, also I was
hampered by the branches of a distant tree. However, the three shadows and two
moons are visible in these infra-red images.
Europa is to the left of Jupiter. The two dark spots on the left
of Jupiter's disk are Callisto itself, upper, and Europa's shadow, lower. Next
across is the shadow of Callisto, and Io itself, bright in infra-red, is also
in there just to the right. Finally the shadow of Io is at far right.
David ARDITTI (Middlesex, the UK)
http://staglaneobservatory.co.uk
HA8 5LW
¤····Subject: Jupiter
2015 January 20
Received: 25 January
2015 at 08:42 JST
This was the best seeing morning recently. I took 15 videos over
25 minutes, and in the March Astronomy Now there will be an article
where I show six different processings of this data for comparison. My
favourite was the one given top right which combines all the IR data through
two filters with G and B.
A fairly quiet planet all in all, unlike our turbulent jetstream.
David ARDITTI (Middlesex, the UK)
http://staglaneobservatory.co.uk
HA8 5LW
¤····Subject: Jupiter
2015 January 17
Received: 24 January
2015 at 08:04 JST
Seeing in the UK has been mostly awful this winter, as Damian has
already noted. There was a slightly better period between January 17 and 20,
when the jet stream diverted away. It’s now back to normal.
Here’s my image from the 17th. The shadow of Io is just
ingressing.
David ARDITTI (Middlesex, the UK)
http://staglaneobservatory.co.uk
HA8 5LW
¤····Subject: Re: Mars
Received: 21 January
2015 at 11:10 JST
Thanks for that valuable feedback Roger.
I have Winjupos, so will try and replicate what you did, for my
own interest and experience.
I am trying various settings both in AS2! and registax, and you
can end up with quite differing results.
Also trying not to "overcook" the processing, but its
always a judgement call!.
Best regards,
Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH
AFRICA)
¤····Subject: Jupiter
18 January
Received: 21 January
2015 at 08:08 JST
Hi All,
I have attached RGB and CH4 Jupiter images from 18 January.
Oval BA still appears somewhat faded and irregular in outline.
Best,
Don PARKER (Coral Gables, FL)
¤····Subject: solar
Images 14-19Jan-2015
Received: 21 January
2015 at 07:52 JST
Hi Guys here is a handful of solar images from mid January. Taking
in a few prominences, filproms, AR 2259 and AR2266. Seeing was poor with bad
jetstream for the earlier ones but the last two dates it was just general low
altitude turbulence, where F9 and Autostakkert gave reasonably sharp images.
I have changed my AP
Best wishes
Dave TYLER (Bucks, the UK)
www.david-tyler.com
Ham call G4PIE
¤····Subject: Re: Mars
Received: 21 January
2015 at 06:08 JST
Thanks, Clyde. It's a very good image, considering the apparent
size of the planet.
I put your image in WinJUPOS and measured the locations of the dark spots on
its lower right. They do not correspond to any of the locations of the Tharsis
Montes or O.M. I do not think that they are shadows of the volcanos, either.
It's more likely that they are created by the noise in the image.
I hope that you can continue to image Mars as long as possible as it becomes
less and less favorable in the western sky.
Roger VENABLE
¤····Subject: Mars
Received: 21 January
2015 at 03:41 JST
Good evening all
Single Red image from this evening.
Solis Lacus fairly central. Mare Sirenum, Aonius Sinus and Mare
Erythraeum region all evident.
SPC bright and clear. Is it possible there is just a hint of the 3
Tharsis volcanoes?
A new milestone for me at 4.5".
Best regards,
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2013/150120/CFs20Jan15.jpg
Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH
AFRICA)
¤····Subject: Jupiter Jan
7
Received: 20 January
2015 at 08:38 JST
Jupiter from Jan 7, the last from my backlog, now I'm on the
waiting list for clear skies again
http://www.astrosurf.com/pcasquinha/jup150107.jpg
My best regards
Paulo
CASQUINHA
(PORTUGAL)
¤····Subject: Jupiter
Received: 19 January
2015 at 23:21 JST
Jupiter images : J150118
Tomio AKUTSU (Tochigi, JAPAN)
¤····Subject: Mars
Received: 19 January
2015 at 04:00 JST
Good evening all
Conditions a bit better this evening (and also caught Mars a bit
earlier).
The RGB data is not great, but I was fascinated with the IR image.
This is the first time I have captured Solis Lacus so clearly as the "Eye
of Mars". Also in IR, Mare Sirenum and Aonius Sinus are clearly seen. The
SPC is very clearly seen and is bright across the IR,R and G images.
Best regards,
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2013/150118/CFs18Jan15.jpg
Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH
AFRICA)
¤····Subject: Jupiter
Jan 5
Received: 19 January
2015 at 03:49 JST
The boring side of Jupiter on January 5th
http://www.astrosurf.com/pcasquinha/jup150105.jpg
My best regards
Paulo
CASQUINHA
(PORTUGAL)
¤····Subject: Jupiter images
- January 17th, 2015
Received: 18 January
2015 at 21:07 JST
Hi all,
Here are some Jupiter images ; weather do not cooperate that much this
winter... (once again)
http://www.astrosurf.com/pellier/j2015-01-17_01-30_rir_cp
http://www.astrosurf.com/pellier/j2015-01-17_01-47_rgb_cp
http://www.astrosurf.com/pellier/j2015-01-17_02-10_ch4_cp
http://www.astrosurf.com/pellier/j2015-01-17_02-30_rir_cp
NEBn
weavy pattern as well as the dark spot at L2:284 and lat +18,4° inside NTrZ are
indicating a classical NEB revival, if I'm not mistaken.
Best wishes,
Christophe PELLIER (Nantes, FRANCE)
Planetary astronomy and imaging
¤····Subject: Jupiter
Jan 4
Received: 18 January
2015 at 04:10 JST
Hi here is a sequence of Jupiter from Jan
ariable conditions .
http://www.astrosurf.com/pcasquinha/jup150104.jpg
My best regards
Paulo
CASQUINHA
(PORTUGAL)
¤····Subject: Mars
Received: 17 January
2015 at 05:43 JST
Good evening all
Set of images taken under very poor conditions. Mare Sirenum
central and SPC evident.
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2013/150116/CFs16Jan15.jpg
Out
of interest, I "commissioned" my new 71mm Williams Optics
(piggybacked on the C14) this evening, with my Canon 60Da. Took a single 30s
test exposure of Orions sword (attached) and was very pleasantly surprised. I
only used in camera NR, and have not done any processing/post-processing as
yet. Considering this is from a major metropolitan area, I am looking forward
to seeing just what can be done from this environment and location. Will be
trying to capture Comet Lovejoy next, if the weather holds……..
Best regards,
Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH
AFRICA)
¤····Subject: I Dreamed
of Falling: Commemorating the Landing of the Huygen's Probeon Titan
Received: 15 January
2015 at 02:09 JST
January 14, 2015
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
There have been many remarkable moments during our ten years at Saturn that a
sentimental type would be warmed to recall. Entry into Saturn orbit in the
summer of 2004 is surely one of them, and any one of the close, daring flybys
of Saturn's moons -- Iapetus, Enceladus, Titan to name a few -- would give you
reason to stop and remember all that we've found in the course of our time
there.
But for me, the moment that moved me the most was the one that took place ten
years ago today ... the day humanity landed a device of our own making on a
moon in the outer solar system. The landing of the Huygens probe on Titan
was a time I will never forget.
Go to ...
http://ciclops.org
Check
out the new Captain's Log and remind yourself of that
extraordinary moment when we did the seemingly impossible and touched
the sky.
Enjoy,
Carolyn PORCO (Boulder, CO)
Cassini Imaging Team leader
Director, CICLOPS
http://twitter.com/carolynporco
http://www.facebook.com/carolynporco
http://carolynporco.com
¤····Subject: Jupiter
11 January
Received: 14 January
2015 at 09:13 JST
Hi
All,
I have attached an RGB Jupiter image from 11 January. Taken with the help of my
grandsons, Dylan and Justin.
Despite high gusty winds and variable seeing, we managed o savage
a decent set of images, thanks to the Paramount ME mount.
Best,
Don PARKER (Coral Gables, FL)
¤····Subject: Mars
Received: 14 January
2015 at 04:32 JST
Good
evening all
Similar
view to yesterday evening. There appears to be some lightness just below the
SPC, most noticeable in G. Could this be cloud? However at this size, I would
be hesitant to make any absolute comment on detail this fine. Colour balance a bit
of a challenge this evening.
Best
regards
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2013/150113/CFs13Jan15.jpg
Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH
AFRICA)
¤····Subject: Solar
Images
Received: 13 January
2015 at 07:29 JST
Hi
Guys Here are some shots of the larger active regions, and a nice prominence
perched like a damselfly on the edge of the sun ,all imaged in very poor seeing
at 17ｰ
alt. F9 proving more successful than f17.6.
The
90mm Solarmax at 800mm + 2x powermate soft image, is twinned with the 12:24ut
white light image from a vintage AP178 f9 ( 1600mm fl) scope.
The
Solarmax prime focus f8.8 images from 12:19ut and 12:15ut are quite sharp.
Best
wishes
Dave TYLER (Bucks, the UK)
www.david-tyler.com
Ham call G4PIE
¤····Subject: Mars
Received: 13 January
2015 at 03:29 JST
Good
evening all
Managed
to capture R and IR images this evening through a tiny gap in the clouds (+-90%
cloud cover)
Mare
Sirenum and Mare Cimmerium prominent. Mare Chronium visible in IR, with
some detail south of Mare Sirenum. Indication of SPC with extension to the east
(left)?
Best
regards
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2013/150112/CFs12Jan15.jpg
Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH
AFRICA)
¤····Subject:
Mo03Jan_15
Received: 12 January
2015 at 22:37 JST
Dear
Dr. MINAMI,
Mars
images 3 January 2015
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2013/150103/Mo03Jan15.jpg
Yukio MORITA (Hiroshima, Japan)
¤····Subject: Re:
May I ask a favour of you?
Received: 12 January
2015 at
Dear Masatsugu,
Let me put together an article on Pickering v.
Lowell, with reference to their trans-Neptunian planet calculations. I will try
to get it to you next few days.
Best, Bill
Below, the view from the “Eyrie,”
Kachina Village, our place near Flagstaff, on New Year’s
Eve.
Bill SHEEHAN (Willmar, MN)
¤····Subject: Re:
May I ask a favour of you?
Received: 12 January
2015 at
Dear Masatsugu,
I just got back from Flagstaff—this
is the first time I have visited the place in Kachina Village where our son is
living while in college—and I spent some time
in the new Collections Center at Lowell Observatory researching Lowell’s
“X”
calculations for a book I am writing on Pluto with Dale Cruikshank. As
you know, this is Pluto’s year, with New
Horizons arriving on July 14 (also the 50th anniversary of the Mariner 4 Mars
flyby), while on January 13 we will celebrate the centennial of Lowell’s
summary of the “X”
investigation for the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
These things are, therefore, fresh in my mind, so I
will write something perhaps about Lowell and “X”
or Pickering and “O”
or E.C. Slipher’s
Mars drawings or???? Let me think on it today.
I will also send you some pictures of the Clark dome
and other pictures from Lowell Observatory under snow—we
had about
As for Don Parker, I believe I have heard he is very
ill, though I don’t know details.
All the best,
Bill SHEEHAN (Willmar, MN)
¤····Subject: Jupiter
Jan 2nd
Received: 9 January
2015 at 08:27 JST
My first images of 2015, seeing above average improving a little
on the second image.
http://www.astrosurf.com/pcasquinha/jup150102.jpg
http://www.astrosurf.com/pcasquinha/jup150102_b.jpg
My best regards
Paulo
CASQUINHA
(PORTUGAL)
¤····Subject: Re: Mars
Received: 9 January
2015 at 04:43 JST
Hi Clyde,
Great details! You've definitely recorded the SPC in IR and Red
shown as the bright 'cap' in the South polar regions. As Richard said it is
offset to the left. And the IR shows the SPC to be mottled.
Continued success,
Jim MELKA (Chesterfield, MO)
¤····Subject: Mars
Received: 9 January
2015 at 03:37 JST
Good evening all
Managed to capture a set of images earlier this evening, with
better conditions and results (although no usable data apparent in blue….).
Mare Cimmerium again dominates the image, although Hesperia and
Mare Tyrrhenum also visible towards the west (particulary in IR and R). Mare
Chronium also evident as well as some darkening on the edge of the SPC. A
little bit of detail visible in the Elysium region. Possibly just a hint of the
SPC in R and G?
Best regards
(Allen, Kos, copying you for interest as well, although I know you
guys are heavily involved in your comet Lovejoy imaging at the moment :-) . Let
me know seperately whether you want me to add you to my regular circulation
list, or whether I just submit to ASSA facebook)
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2013/150108/CFs08Jan15.jpg
Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH
AFRICA)
¤····Subject: Re: Mars
Received: 8 January
2015 at 14:21 JST
Thanks for the comments Richard.
I see that there was an image by MORITA on the CMO website , which
was fairly close in orientation(23 Dec), and was similar. Maybe just a hint of
the SPC in his red image at that stage. In comparison, the SPC was quite
spectacular given the orientation on 29 Dec.
Best regards,
Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH
AFRICA)
¤····Subject: Re:
Brightness of Mars: Dec. 31 and Jan. 1
Received: 8 January
2015 at 06:09 JST
Thanks Richard and indeed no major storms appeared recently....
There was a little activity over Chryse Planitia earlier in
keeping with past seasonal trends.
Hope everyone receiving this reply is well, and all good wishes
for 2015.
Richard McKIM (Peterborough, the
UK)
¤····Subject: Re: Mars
Received: 8 January
2015 at 04:52 JST
Dear Clyde
Thank you. This is by no means an abnormal image, to my eyes. You may like to
know that the SPC is asymmetrically displaced away from the S. pole as it
shrinks, and on this side of the planet its N. edge would be close to the limb,
so its absence is not so surprising given the disk diameter and seeing.
All the best
Richard McKIM (Peterborough, the
UK)
¤····Subject: Mars
Received: 8 January
2015 at 04:19 JST
Good evening all
Managed to capture a set of images this evening. Elevation was low
and seeing conditions fairly poor, so I am afraid the result is not great.
I can maybe make a few comments: Mare Cimmerium is visible and
dominates the image (no global dust storm as yet….!). Hellas is on the south
western terminator, and shows no indication of any significant brightness.
Unfortunately no obvious indication of the SPC- I suspect due to the seeing
conditions and elevation. Amazonis appears to be bright.
Best regards
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2013/150107/CFs07Jan15.jpg
Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH
AFRICA)
¤····Subject: solar
Images 25_28-Dec-2014
Received: 7 January
2015 at 06:00 JST
Hi Guys, here are a selection of prominences imaged over the
Christmas holiday.
Best wishes and a happy new year
Dave TYLER (Bucks, the UK)
www.david-tyler.com
Ham call G4PIE
¤····Subject: Jupiter
December 28
Received: 5 January
2015 at 08:22 JST
Jupiter from December 28
http://www.astrosurf.com/pcasquinha/jup141228.jpg
Regards
Paulo
CASQUINHA
(PORTUGAL)
¤····Subject: Jupiter
December 25
Received: 5 January
2015 at 05:13 JST
Hi to all
Jupiter image from December 25th , I was able to get just the red
channel before the fog rolled in, Io on transit.
http://www.astrosurf.com/pcasquinha/jup141225.jpg
Regards
Paulo
CASQUINHA
(PORTUGAL)
¤····Subject: Jupiter
Received: 5 January
2015 at 01:20 JST
Jupiter images (J150101) at Cebu.
Tomio AKUTSU (Tochigi, JAPAN)
¤····Subject: RE: A
Happy New Year
Received: 4 January
2015 at 21:48 JST
Dear Reiichi
I was delighted to see your e-mail, and thank you very much for
sharing your comments and also previous e-mails to Christophe and Bill. I hope
you don’t mind if I also copy Masatsugu and Masami on this e-mail, as there may
be a few things of interest to them, and I have been meaning to send an e-mail
to them in response to an earlier email they sent me.
Thank you for the compliments on my Mars imaging. It is very
rewarding to get feedback, comment , and yes, even critiscism (!!) on my images
particularly from highly experienced observers. Although I have had a lifelong
interest in astronomy (from about the age of 9, and I am now 56....), work,
family and financial commitments limited my activities. It was therefore a
priviledge for me to be able to invest in a nice (motorised) roll-off roof
observatory with a new C14 SCT earlier this year. Commissioning took place a
little after Mars opposition, and at that stage I only had a colour camera, so
there was limited value from an analysis perspective. Despite that I was very
excited to capture my first dust storm in early July, and I committed to taking
images on every possible opportunity. I developed a positive relationship and
interaction with the Mars sections of ALPO (Roger and Jim) and the BAA
(Richard). It became very evident to me the value of filtered images, and in
August I purchased a mono camera and filterwheel set, and commenced climbing
the huge Image processing mountain! When I look back on some of the early
attempts, I am a bit embarressed, but it is all part of the learning curve that
every serious imager must go through. Advice from Christophe and a number of
other experienced imagers was very much appreciated. One thing I do know is
that I still have a lot to learn (I was priviledged to get advice from Don
Parker, which as yet, I have not managed to incorporate in my image processing
procedures, so I hope that that will improve my images even further). Colour
balance is certainly one of the biggest challenges for me.
It was shortly after this that I became aware of the CMO/ISMO and
started submitting my images. I was very impressed with the commitment and effort
that was (and is) put in to comment on every image that is submitted in the
CMO. This is what I would call a "labour of love", and provides an
excellent service and resource for Mars observers.
Together with the imaging, I purchased a number of good reference
books on Mars so that I could better understand the planet and what I was
imaging. I also discovered the MRO MARCI weather report, and as you have
already noted, I found it fascinating to see "my" dust storms imaged
from from a Mars orbiter (albeit 1-3 weeks later). One thing I noted in
comparing my images with MRO is that the main albedo features are often seen
better from earth that they are from Mars orbit!
It is certainly my intention to continue imaging in this
apparition as long as I can, although with us in the middle of summer now, the
elevation of Mars is dropping by the time it starts becoming dark. I have also
found that seeing conditions are best during twilight, so a few things are
starting to work against me. It is very difficult to capture a reasonable blue
image under these conditions, so I may shortly be limited to R and IR images.
One good thing about this is that it should still be possible to identify any
major dust storm activity. We shall see, as weather conditions have been poor
for a number of weeks now in the area where I live.
I was interested in your comments regarding visual observing and
imaging. If I understand you, you see imaging as a direct/natural extension of
visual observing, rather than competing with visual observing. As an engineer,
I have really enjoyed the full experience from the setting up of the equipment
and imaging train, to the capturing
of the images, and the multi-step processing procedures, through to assessing
the quality and information in the final image. Let me also add that one of the greatest
pleasures for me after a hard days work is to retreat to my back garden, roll
the roof off the observatory and look to the skies..... What a priviledge, and a
wonderful way to relax and de-stress!
I guess what I am saying that this hobby goes far beyond a purely
technical pastime but definitely extends to aesthetic if not even spiritual
levels. I have huge respect for those who still prefer to do visual (I believe
this is your speciality?) observing. At the end of the day, I believe we are
all striving for the same thing- to capture, interpret and understand what we
can, to the best of our abilities.
I am not sure that at this stage I can be classified as an
"thinking/analysing imager" , but I can assure you that this is a
title that I can(and will) definitely aspire to!!
Just as a bit of a side anecdote, I see that there is a Mr ASADA
who is on the Advisory board of the CMO/ISMO. This reminds me of when I was a
young Chemical Engineer back in the 1980's. I was involved in a pilot(test)
project at one of the South African
Power stations where Japanese technology was being considered for purifying
contaminated water. It was EDR (Reverse Electrodialysis) technology from a
company called Asahi Glass Co (if I recall correctly). The point being is that
they sent out a young japanes engineer (also Mr ASADA) who I worked with at the
power station. We worked well together and spent a lot of time discussing
Japanese culture, and also drank a bit (maybe it was more than that....!!) of
Suntory whiskey! As friends, I would refer to him as "Asada-san" and
he called me "Foster-san". I do not know how common this name is in
Japan, and if there may be any connection between the two "Mr ASADA's"?
Thank you again for your comments and feedback, and I look forward
to further interaction with you and the CMO/ISMO
Finally, I would like to wish you (and Masatsugu and Masami) , a
happy, healthy and prosperous 2015. Let us hope for clear skies and good
seeing, and possibly a major dust storm on Mars in the next few weeks!!
Best regards
------------------------------------------------------------------
Sent: 04 January 2015
To: Clyde Foster
Subject: A Happy New
Year
Dear Clyde (if I
may),
Checking emails sent to me last year, I
have just discoverd your email dated 28 Octber
Your indefatigable focus on your
observing Mars is really great, and I am happy to learn your recovery from the
back surgery to be able to get still detail-rich images of the red planet below
5"!...I fancy observers on the imaginary antipodal-on-orbit-Earth would be
enjoying a favorable approach of Mars with its southern summer... Though the MRO MARCI weather reporter
commented as "Based on recent major regional storm activity and
comparisons with the historical storm records, a planet-encircling dust event
(PEDE) is unlikely (< 50%) to occur in the remainder of this martian
year." in their release for the week of 1 Dec.-7 Dec., it's still in the
major dust season, and the Earth-based patrol is still valuable for the early
detection of the outbreak of the major meteorological event, because the
images(though superb) of HST and the Mars orbiting probes are quite sporadic in
releasing(even MRO MARCI Weather Report takes 1~3 weeks in updating).
One more your special characteristic I
noticed is that you are an "thinking/analysing imager". Let me here
paste the copy of my email to Christophe Pellier (Cced to Bill Sheehan also) on
21 Dec. 2012, and the one to Bill Sheehan on 2 March 2013, sorry they're a bit
lengthy:
Dear Christophe, I
have just completed and submitted my translation of your 11/12 note#7 for
CMO#405 Japanese version. It's very interesting! I think I could have managed
to catch the Tharsis bright morning fog a few times visually in the last
apparition, as a bit light (not bluish) triangular area in the morning side.
Attached are some of such drawings. I guess the bright fog was still visible/imageable untill at around
Ls120.
By the way, I have
also translated Bill Sheehan's very important opening essay for #405 Japanese.
Did you read that? The theme is quite heavy and oppressive, related to the fate
and the future of ISMO/CMO, but I think someone have to take on the subject
sooner or later, and Bill is one of the best persons for now. I myself have a
plan to write something on the theme with a title“CMO or Earth-Sized Argus--The
Brain of the Hundred-Eyed Super Giant is An Super Experienced Visual Observer”,
in which I will admit that the rare species of classical visual observers is a
dying breed, but the way of thinking like our GM have acquired through his
sheer length of visual observation time will remain useful in analysing digital
images, because, I believe, CCD planetary obsevation in a way is very much
alike visual obsevation, an experienced CCD imager's
telescope/imaging/processing system is practically within his visual system, his telescope is his “Big
Eye”projected deep into the Solar System, his“Digital”processing is very much
analogue in handling processing, results in an image pleasing to his “Eyes”. I
certainly recall that my old good friend Tomio Akutsu in Cebu once suffered
from severe psychosomatic problem when a violent typhoon blew down his C-14 to
crash onto the floor；
that's quite understandable；he
lost his Big Eye!
GM(for Grand Massy：our secret nickname for unreplaceable Masatsugu, Bill), the brain of
the Earth-Sized Hundred Eyed Giant(mostly digital eyes for now!) is carrying
out the final image processing in the center of ARGUS：for：
“the Areoholic Reconnaissance Global Union consists of hundreds of
observing Stations” or
“Areoholic Reconnaissance Group with Uninterrupted longitudinal coverage of
observing Stations” or “Areoholic
Reconnaissance Group United by Sympathy (or Soul or Show-off, or
Self-assertiveness(!?))” ……Whoops, I'm no good at punning!
Best Regards,
Reiichi Konnai
Dear Bill,
This time I am deeply moved by your“well-planned program” of
stimulation therapy to encourage our irreplaceable Masatsugu in his failing
health, and to reactivate CMO/ISMO with hosts of pending problems such as the
chronic shortage of writers/analysts, uncertain successors to the present
editorial board, and etc.,etc.…. You are certainly an admirable psychiatrist,
as well as an exquisite astronomy historian!
I remember your
writing in your LtE the other day that my ARGUS essay might offer a more
optimistic assessment of the situation than your ones. Actually however, I am
rather (not quite) pessimistic about the future of CMO/ISMO. CMO is, as you
know well, an unprecedented and probably the last singular field which had been
created some thirty years ago by Masatsugu MINAMI as an antithesis of the
previous defective observing/analysing systems of Mars, with which the dream of
well-planned program of classical Mars observation finally came true, to which
visual/digital observers world over could have been submitting their records to
find their raisonｓ
d'être promptly. It's astonishing (and it feels unstable at the same time/on
the other hand) that the integrity of the Martians' Shangri-Laish zone have
been preserved practically solely by Masatsugu, an unprecedented and presumably
the final PURE MARTIAN/visual sketcher on this blue planet. As for your phrase
in your Night Thoughts essay Part One,“Can replacements even be found?”…Can't
at all, I dare say for now. So, I believe, we have to be confronted with some
changes in the system of CMO/ISMO in the near future.
In my future essay
I'm going to classify the astronomers (both amateur and professional)
constitute the CMO/ISMO according to the motivations of continuing their
observations to seek ways for the individualistic “loners” to coexist
peacefully and fruitfully as have been proven unimpossible by Dr. Masatsugu
MINAMI.
Best
Wishes,
Reiichi KONNAI
....Yes, I feel, our
GM with his charisma:exceptional brain, over ten thousand career visual
observations,and the excellent command of languages as well...have built up the
world of amateur Mars observation to a kind of "vertical
specalization/division of labor" system:the central analyst, and the imagers
and the sketchers the world over.
The system have been working quite
succesfully..., but GM is now 76 years old with serious illnesses (I am aged 64
by the way!).
Now is the time we need
"thinking/analysing imagers"...in this sence also, you are one of the
stars of hope!
Belated but a Happy New Year 2015
with a good health!
With Best
Regards,
Reiichi
------------------------------------------------------------------
Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH
AFRICA)
¤····Subject: Jupiter
December 22
Received: 4 January
2015 at 07:22 JST
Jupiter
on December 22 with Callisto in transit
http://www.astrosurf.com/pcasquinha/jup141222.jpg
Regards
Paulo CASQUINHA (PORTUGAL)
¤····Subject:
Brightness of Mars: Dec. 31 and Jan. 1
Received: 2 January
2015 at 03:09 JST
Hello
Don, Masami and Richard:
I
was able to use an SSP-3 photometer along with a 3.5 inch Maksutov
telescope to measure the brightness of Mars on Dec. 31.992, 2014 and Jan.
1.014, 2015.
The
results are:
Dec.
31.992, 2014:
+1.16
Central meridian longitude = 35 degrees west
Jan.
1.014, 2015:
+1.16
Central meridian longitude = 43 degrees west
These
results are 0.01 magnitudes dimmer than those in Mallama (2007).
This is consistent with there being no major dust storm in the Chryse region.
All measurements were made near Barnesville, GA USA.
Richard SCHMUDE, Jr. (Barnesville, GA)
¤····Subject:
Mo23Dec_14.
Received: 1 January
2015 at 17:34 JST
Dear
Dr. MINAMI,
A
happy new year 2015.
Mars
images
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2013/141223/Mo23Dec14.jpg
Yukio MORITA (Hiroshima, Japan)
¤····Subject: Happy
new year 2015.
Received: 31 December
2014 at 22:54 JST
May
the new year bring you greater heights of success and prosperity.
Have
a happy new year!
Zlatko F. KOVACEVIC (Virovitica,
CROATIA)