Solar&Planetary LtE Now for CMO/ISMO #78 (CMO #455)

Solar & Planetary LtE Now for CMO/ISMO #81 (CMO #455)

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¤····Subject: Mars September 3

Received:18 October 2016 at 08:24 JST

Good seeing, showing dust flowing out of Hellas.
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160903/PMx03Sept16.jpg

Paul MAXSON (Surprise, AZ)

¤····Subject: Mars (March 25th.)

Received:18 October 2016 at 03:59 JST

Hi all,

Here is a session from back on March 25th under good conditions. Lots of clouds over Tharsis into Chryse. Olympus Mons is flanked by clouds.

http://www.damianpeach.com/mars1617/m2016-03-25-RGB.jpg

Best Wishes

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/16325/DPc25Mar16.jpg

Damian PEACH (Selsey, WS, the UK)

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/10/17 1457UT CM89

Received:18 October 2016 at 03:51 JST

Hi all,

Unfortunately very poor conditions this afternoon with extensive cloud forcing me to an early(daylight) capture between gaps in the clouds before being clouded out. Mars is now at 8”.

The Vallis Marineris complex is central. I was surprised how bright the SPC was today. In my opinion the albedo features seem rather subdued, although no indication of any major activity as yet.

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/161017/CFs17Oct16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/10/16 1731UT CM136

Received:17 October 2016 at 16:24 JST

Hi all,

A capture of Mars taken less than an hour after the Schiaparelli lander separation from the Trace Gas Orbiter(TGO) yesterday. The N/S planetary orientation has been aligned in Winjupos, with planetary south at top. Conditions, as best as can be seen, appear to remain “calm”.

Wishing the ESA team every success with the landing.

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/161016/CFs16Oct16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Re: Venus

Received:17 October 2016 at 13:48 JST

Wow!! That's a f*** black hole on Venus clouds. That's hard to explain in terms of only the equatorially-trapped Kelvin wave... I guess we might check whether it was present also in the last set of images taken by UVI ...

Javier PERALTA (JAXA)

Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS)

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

¤····Subject: Mars: October 16, 2016

Received:17 October 2016 at 10:17 JST

Hi,

I have attached my latest image of Mars October 16, 2016 at 22:20 UT.

Thanks,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/161016/FMl16Oct16.jpg

Frank J MELILLO (Holtsville, NY)

¤····Subject: Mo10Oct_16

Received:16 October 2016 at 23:18 JST

Mars images on 10 October 2016.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/161010/Mo10Oct16.jpg

Yukio MORITA (Hiroshima, JAPAN)

¤····Subject: Venus

Received:16 October 2016 at 21:39 JST

Hi, here are 2 Venus images taken at a similar time to Anthony Wesley. His observatory is 1klm west of mine at Rubyvale Qld Australia.

Regards,

Phil MILES (Rubyvale, QLD, AUSTRALIA)

¤····Subject: Mars 15 october 2016

Received:15 October 2016 at 21:51 JST

Dear Dr. Minami,
Attached here is my latest image of Mars, again captured against the blue sky, just at the culmination, though the altitude was only 28 degrees, with horrible seeing as lately. No special view as yesterday.
Better Seeing!

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/161015/Kn15Oct16.jpg

Reiichi KONNAÏ (Fukushima, JAPAN)

¤····Subject: Mars September 1

Received:15 October 2016 at 08:36 JST

Average seeing
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160901/PMx01Sept16.jpg

Paul MAXSON (Surprise, AZ)

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/10/14 1518UT CM123

Received:15 October 2016 at 03:21 JST

Hi all,

Back at home although seeing conditions were poor this afternoon. Olympus Mons is seen to the lower right and the Tharsis volcanoes are visible in the IR image.

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/161014/CFs14Oct16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Mars 14 october 2016

Received:15 October 2016 at 00:05 JST

Dear Dr.Minami,
I am attaching here my latest image of Mars, daylight capture near its culmination. There seems to be no sign of the emergence of a large dust storm over the expected area.

Clear Skies with Hopefully BETTER Seeing!
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/161014/Kn14Oct16.jpg

Reiichi KONNAÏ (Fukushima, JAPAN)

¤····Subject: Saturn (March 25th.)

Received:14 October 2016 at 05:14 JST

Hi all,

Finishing some data taken back in March.

Here is Saturn on March 25th. Good seeing.

http://www.damianpeach.com/sat1617/s2016-03-25-0910_8-RGB.jpg

Best Wishes

Damian PEACH (Selsey, WS, the UK)

¤····Subject: Mars: October 11, 2016

Received:13 October 2016 at 11:40 JST

Hi,

I have attached my latest image of Mars October 11, 2016 at 23:17 UT.

Thanks,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/161011/FMl11Oct16.jpg

Frank J MELILLO (Holtsville, NY)

¤····Subject: Mars - October 10th

Received:13 October 2016 at 02:33 JST

Hi Mr. Minami and All!, Here is my session from Oct.10th under average conditions.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/161010/EMr10Oct16.jpg

Efrain MORALES RIVERA (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico)

¤····Subject: Mars August 31

Received:13 October 2016 at 08:44 JST

Below average seeing.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160831/PMx31Aug16.jpg

Paul MAXSON (Surprise, AZ)

¤····Subject: Mars: October 7, 2016

Received:12 October 2016 at 12:03 JST

Hi ,

I have attached my image of Mars October 7, 2016 at 23:17 UT.

The seeing was horrible but at least the details are seen.

Best,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/161007/FMl07Oct16.jpg

Frank J MELILLO (Holtsville, NY)

¤····Subject: Mars August 30

Received:11 October 2016 at 11:44 JST

Average seeing.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160830/PMx30Aug16.jpg

Paul MAXSON (Surprise, AZ)

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/10/10 1459UT CM157

Received:11 October 2016 at 02:03 JST

Hi all,

An early capture from this afternoon as clouds were moving in, and poor conditions are continuing. The Tharsis region coming into view, with Olympus Mons and the other three main volcanoes just visible. There is quite a distinct bright spot adjacent to the NPC.

I will be visiting family in Durban for the next few days so will only be able to image again on Friday, weather permitting.

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/161010/CFs10Oct16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: RE: Mars 2016/10/09 1541UT CM177

Received:10 October 2016 at 04:37 JST

Hi, all

Clouded out yesterday. Exceptionally poor conditions this afternoon forced me to limit imaging to the attached IR capture.

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/161009/CFs09Oct16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/10/07 1514UT CM190

Received:10 October 2016 at 03:11 JST

Hi all,

Mars capture from 7th October. Daylight capture and seeing was reasonable. Subtle markings including the light markings in the Gordii dorsum region are still visible. The south preceding limb appears a bit diffuse.

I note with interest the recent press release from NASA JPL regarding the prediction of the next Martian global dust storm: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2016-256

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/161007/CFs07Oct16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Mars - October 6th

Received: 9 October 2016 at 02:45 JST

Hi Mr. Minami and All!, First wishing you a good health!. Here I submit my session from Oct. 6th. The blanket of clouds from hurricane Matthew has finally left our region hopefully the weather should improve.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/161006/EMr06Oct16.jpg

Efrain MORALES RIVERA (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico)

¤····Subject: Mars observations August/September 2016

Received: 9 October 2016 at 08:22 JST

Dear CMO/OAA-team !
Here are my Mars observations from 25th August till 4th September 2016.
I used the 20"RC of IAS observatory located in Namibia.
Thank You in advance for displaying this pictures on the CMO page !
best regards

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160825/RSz25Aug16.jpg

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160826/RSz26Aug16.jpg

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160827/RSz27Aug16.jpg

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160828/RSz28Aug16.jpg

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160829/RSz29Aug16.jpg

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160830/RSz30Aug16.jpg

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160831/RSz31Aug16.jpg

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160901/RSz01Sept16.jpg

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160902/RSz02Sept16.jpg

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160903/RSz03Sept16.jpg

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160904/RSz04Sept16.jpg

Robert SCHULZ (Vienna, AUSTRIA)

¤····Subject: Solar images 28th Sept to 5th October 2016

Received: 9 October 2016 at 08:11 JST

Hi Guys AR2597 grew nicely as it approached the limb on the 28th of September, which was the last time I saw it. The solar disc appeared almost blank on the 2nd of October, except for a group of spots without penumbra, this group was eventually given the ident’ of AR2598.

New spot AR2599 was a welcome sight on the 3rd of October. It was also imaged on the 4th and again on the 5th but in lesser seeing. No clear skies since.

best wishes

Dave TYLER (Bucks, the UK)

www.david-tyler.com

¤····Subject: Mars 07 October 2016

Received: 8 October 2016 at 21:49 JST

Dear Dr. Minami,

It cleared up finally, and attached here is my latest Mars image.Seeing was atrocious for the red planet near its culmination. I'm gonna try my best without leaving everything in the lap of Gods.

...Now testing greater focal ratio for the smaller Martian disk.

Good Seeing,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/161007/Kn07Oct16.jpg

Reiichi KONNAÏ (Fukushima, JAPAN)

¤····Subject: Mars: October 5, 2016

Received: 8 October 2016 at 09:13 JST

Hi ,

I have attached my latest image of Mars on October 5, 2016 at 22:51 UT.

Thanks,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/161005/FMl05Oct16.jpg

Frank J MELILLO (Holtsville, NY)

¤····Subject: Mars August 29

Received: 8 October 2016 at 04:16 JST

Decent seeing.
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160829/PMx29Aug16.jpg

Paul MAXSON (Surprise, AZ)

¤····Subject: Fwd: JPL&NASA: Study Predicts Next Global Dust Storm on Mars

Received: 8 October 2016 at 02:24 JST

Dear Masatsugu and Richard,
May or may not interest you, but I thought I'd send it on.
Best, Bill

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: AAS Deputy Press Officer Larry Marschall <larry.marschall@aas.org>
Date: Wed, Oct 5, 2016 at 7:04 PM
Subject: JPL&NASA: Study Predicts Next Global Dust Storm on Mars
To: Larry Marschall <larry.marschall@aas.org>

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS ISSUED JOINTLY BY THE JET PROPULSION LABORATORY IN PASADENA, CALIFORNIA, AND NASA HEADQUARTERS IN WASHINGTON, DC, AND IS FORWARDED FOR YOUR INFORMATION. FORWARDING DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT BY THE AMERICAN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY.

5 October 2016

**Contact Information Appears Below**

Text and Images are available on:
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2016-256

STUDY PREDICTS NEXT GLOBAL DUST STORM ON MARS

Global dust storms on Mars could soon become more predictable -- which would be a boon for future astronauts there -- if the next one follows a pattern suggested by those in the past.

A published prediction, based on this pattern, points to Mars experiencing a global dust storm in the next few months. "Mars will reach the midpoint of its current dust storm season on October 29th of this year. Based on the historical pattern we found, we believe it is very likely that a global dust storm will begin within a few weeks or months of this date," James Shirley, a planetary scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California.

Local dust storms occur frequently on Mars. These localized storms occasionally grow or coalesce to form regional systems, particularly during the southern spring and summer, when Mars is closest to the sun. On rare occasions, regional storms produce a dust haze that encircles the planet and obscures surface features beneath. A few of these events may become truly global storms, such as one in 1971 that greeted the first spacecraft to orbit Mars, NASA's Mariner 9. Discerning a predictable pattern for which Martian years will have planet-encircling or global storms has been a challenge.

The most recent Martian global dust storm occurred in 2007, significantly diminishing solar power available to two NASA Mars rovers then active halfway around the planet from each other -- Spirit and Opportunity.

"The global dust storm in 2007 was the first major threat to the rovers since landing," said JPL's John Callas, project manager for Spirit and Opportunity. "We had to take special measures to enable their survival for several weeks with little sunlight to keep them powered. Each rover powered up only a few minutes each day, enough to warm them up, then shut down to the next day without even communicating with Earth. For many days during the worst of the storm, the rovers were completely on their own."

Dust storms also will present challenges for astronauts on the Red Planet. Although the force of the wind on Mars is not as strong as portrayed in an early scene in the movie "The Martian," dust lofted during storms could affect electronics and health, as well as the availability of solar energy.

The Red Planet has been observed shrouded by planet-encircling dust nine times since 1924, with the five most recent planetary storms detected in 1977, 1982, 1994, 2001 and 2007. The actual number of such events is no doubt higher. In some of the years when no orbiter was observing Mars up close, Mars was poorly positioned for Earth-based telescopic detection of dust storms during the Martian season when global storms are most likely.

Shirley's 2015 paper in the journal Icarus reported finding a pattern in the occurrence of global dust storms when he factored in a variable linked to the orbital motion of Mars. Other planets have an effect on the momentum of Mars as it orbits the solar system's center of gravity. This effect on momentum varies with a cycle time of about 2.2 years, which is longer than the time it takes Mars to complete each orbit: about 1.9 years. The relationship between these two cycles changes constantly. Shirley found that global dust storms tend to occur when the momentum is increasing during the first part of the dust storm season. None of the global dust storms in the historic record occurred in years when the momentum was decreasing during the first part of the dust storm season.

The paper noted that conditions in the current Mars dust-storm season are very similar to those for a number of years when global storms occurred in the past. Observations of the Martian atmosphere over the next few months will test whether the forecast is correct.

Researchers at Malin Space Science Systems, in San Diego, post Mars weather reports each week based on observations using the Mars Color Imager camera on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. A series of local southern-hemisphere storms in late August grew into a major regional dust storm in early September, but subsided by mid-month without becoming global. Researchers will be closely watching to see what happens with the next regional storm.

###

Contacts:

Guy Webster
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
Tel: +1 818-354-6278
Email: guy.webster@jpl.nasa.gov

Dwayne Brown / Laurie Cantillo
NASA Headquarters, Washington
Tel: +1 202-358-1726 / +1 202-358-1077
Email: dwayne.c.brown@nasa.gov / laura.l.cantillo@nasa.gov

Bill SHEEHAN (Flagstaff, AZ)

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/10/06 1515UT CM200

Received: 7 October 2016 at 23:37 JST

Hi all,

Mars capture from yesterday afternoon. Daylight capture and seeing was reasonable.

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/161006/CFs06Oct16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: RE: Mars 2016/10/05 1513UT CM209

Received: 7 October 2016 at 20:54 JST

Hi all,

Some reasonable seeing for this capture. Conditions appear fairly stable on Mars, at least in this view. Mare Cimmerium is prominent. The subtle shading that forms a giant “?” around the Amazonis region is also still visible, and well seen in the IR image.

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/161005/CFs05Oct16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/10/04 1702UT CM246

Received: 6 October 2016 at 15:39 JST

Hi all,

Some commitments meant I was only able to capture a bit later on the 4th. I was pleasantly surprised that the seeing was not that bad.

The scope was swung across the pier, and a rather severe limb effect was noted, which I have not processed out in the decomposed channel images. I am wary of the possible contrast/limb effect just below the SPC, and am not sure how accurate this is in reality.

Out of interest, I have been testing live streaming from my observatory, and may do further testing, including live streaming of Mars, later today(6 October) from about 15.00UT, weather permitting. If you want to have a look, please go to my Youtube channel(I will set it to public) at between 15.00 and 15.15UT. You should pick it up if you search for “Clyde F”. Seeing has not been great, and we have been having late afternoon cloud the last few days, so I cannot guarantee a decent view. However, it is Mars, and it will be live!

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/161004/CFs04Oct16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Mars August 28

Received: 6 October 2016 at 08:49 JST

Below average seeing.
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160828/PMx28Aug16.jpg

Paul MAXSON (Surprise, AZ)

¤····Subject: Mars August 27

Received: 4 October 2016 at 08:59 JST

Decent for once.
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160827/PMx27Aug16.jpg

Paul MAXSON (Surprise, AZ)

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/10/03 1514UT CM229 IR

Received: 4 October 2016 at 02:03 JST

Hi all,

Unfortunately seeing was so poor this afternoon that I was limited to the attached IR capture.

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/161003/CFs03Oct16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Mars Image 2016/09/19

Received: 3 October 2016 at 07:31 JST

Dear Masatsugu,

Dear Masami,

I am sending an image of Mars on 2016/09/19.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160919/CTr19Sept16.jpg

»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»

Mars

2016/09/19 UT 00:37:37

CM= 151.7°

SCT LX200UHTC 254mm + Barlow 2x + LRGB Filters + ASI120MM @ 0.11”/pixel (f/27)

LRGB: 13839/10719/4858/1943 frames @ 76/39/26/11 fps @ DeRot 23min

S: 5/10 – T: 3/5 – Alt: 48°

Charles Triana - AstroExplor Observatory - Colombia

Comments:

This is an LRGB image of Mars on 19-Sep-2016.

In the center are the regions of Tharsis, Arcadia, Amazonis. In south is the Sirenum Mare. The visibility is very low in the image, which does not allow the observation of details.

This was possible in a new night with low clouds, after almost a month of bad weather, but seeing conditions were poor-average.

»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»

Best regards,

Charles TRIANA (Bogota, COLOMBIA)

AstroExplor Observatory
www.astroexplor.org

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/10/02 1514UT CM239

Received: 3 October 2016 at 04:16 JST

Hi all,

Mars this afternoon under below average conditions. Mare Cimmerium and Elysium are reasonably prominent.

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/161002/CFs02Oct16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: A reminding image

Received: 3 October 2016 at 01:34 JST

Dear Dr.Minami, All,

Attached here is an image taken with a little VMC webcam on board Mars Express/ESA on this 28 September 2016, a south polar view of the full noon Mars centered on the meridian. I fondly remember the views of the same Martian season in my first apparition of Mars observation in 1971 (please see attached my drawings).

According to Richard McKim's "Telescopic Martian Dust Storms: A Narative and Catalogue", p86, a large regional dust storm began on the night of 10/11 July 1971 at λ=213゜Ls over the Hellas Basin, with the activity last detected on 22 July；This seems to be comparable to the latest regional dust storm activity observed by CMO imagers which began on 03 September 2016 at λ=216゜Ls at the eastern end of Deucalionis Regio/Pandorae Fretum, entering its final "decay phase" around ten sols after the start (according to the comment in the MRO MARCI Weather Reports for the Week of 12-18 September 2016). In 1971, the historic greatest global dust storm(which have welcomed Mariner 9 probe) was entrained on 22 September at λ=260゜Ls. ...We can expect an exciting event within a couple of coming months!?

Best Regards,

Reiichi KONNAÏ (Fukushima, JAPAN)

¤····Subject: Mars image 20161002UT T.Ohsugi

Received: 2 October 2016 at 20:42 JST

Mars image on 2 Octoer 2016.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/161002/Og02Oct16.jpg

Tadao OHSUGI (Ishikawa, JAPAN)

¤····Subject: Mars August 26

Received: 2 October 2016 at 03:43 JST

Average seeing.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160826/PMx26Aug16.jpg

Paul MAXSON (Surprise, AZ)

¤····Subject: Pickering's　Mars photos in 1888

Received: 2 October 2016 at 03:12 JST

Dear Masatsugu,

We have those images here also in the planetary patrol plate collection. On October 15, we are having a celebration--100 years since Percival Lowell's death--in the Putnam collection, and then a week later, the Antique Telescope Society will be visiting Mars Hill.

I am giving a talk in the rotunda of the Slipher building (built 1916), "Percival Lowell's last year."

Bill Sheehan

PS. You can forward this to others on your list if you think they would find it of interest.

Bill SHEEHAN (Flagstaff, AZ)

¤····Subject: Re: Pickering's Mars photos of 1888

Received: 1 October 2016 at 06:35 JST

Hi Richard,

Thanks for copying me on the 1888-1890 images by Pickering. I took the liberty of enhancing them by removing the prominent noise and then on two of them erasing the bright field of view around the disks. See attachment. One hundred years later I imaged Mars for Lowell Observatory on 10 nights using a 24" f/75 Cassegrain scope in an observatory on Mauna Kea in 1988. I'll try to make a composite of some of my images.

Good seeing,

Jim MELKA (Chesterfield, MO)

¤····Subject: Mars - Sept.28th

Received: 1 October 2016 at 03:37 JST

Hi Mr.Minami and All!, Here is my session from sept.28th under below average　condition. Between rain bands of T/S now hurricane Matthew.
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160928/EMr28Sept16.jpg

Efrain MORALES RIVERA (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico)

¤····Subject: Pickering's Mars photos of 1888

Received: 1 October 2016 at 00:46 JST

Many thanks for these interesting items.

Remarkably good prints of the 1888 Mars photos by Pickering were published by him more or less at the time (if I recall correctly), and then again years later in the series of (44 in all) popular Mars reports he published in the now defunct US journal Popular Astronomy. I suspect the reproductions in the latter were slightly retouched. The latter journal is certainly online, and the reports dealt with the work of a select group of amateur observers up to 1928. The last detailed reports published were for the 1926 apparition. Years later I looked for Pickering's original records of his drawings of Mars, but the main collections at Tulhane University archives in the USA did not have any of his Mars work, just notebooks dealing with his lunar observations, made from Mandeville, Jamaica. The suspicion is that an earlier archivist or director had discarded his Mars work, thinking it too controversial. But if anyone knows differently.......

It would be of much interest to see direct scans of the originals, or perhaps some stacked multiple images where available.

With regards

Richard McKIM (BAA Mars Section, Peterborough, The UK))

¤····Subject: RE: Mars 2016/09/29 1523UT CM270

Received: 30 September 2016 at 21:32 JST

Clyde

Attached meself holding the plates as well as the logbook with the first Mars entry.

Dawid Van JAARSVELDT (Bloemfontein, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: RE: Mars 2016/09/29 1523UT CM270

Received: 30 September 2016 at 20:41 JST

Dawie

Let me also express my appreciation for the support you are getting from Harvard Observatory and, as you mentioned when I was there, Lindsay Smith in particular.

It is fantastic that they have been prepared to contribute to the exhibit in this way.

Best regards,

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: RE: Mars 2016/09/29 1523UT CM270

Received: 30 September 2016 at 20:11 JST

Dawie

I’m not too sure about the “better than Hubble” part, but I like the way you are thinking!

Thanks for the great historical work you are doing down at Boyden Observatory. It is important, at least in my mind, that this Mars heritage is protected and is shown the light of day, to the likes of what you are doing down there.

Best regards,

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: RE: Mars 2016/09/29 1523UT CM270

Received: 30 September 2016 at 19:49 JST

Clyde!

Funny you should mention this:

Hereby the Circle of Mars:

1. 1888 – William Pickering takes the first pic of Mars from the Alvyn Clark 13 inch

2. 1894 – He shows the pics to Percival Lowell who asks him to build an observatory for the specific use to study Mars (and looking for canals and life), Lowell Observatory Flagstaff Arizona

3. 1939: - Earl Slipher from Lowell Observatory takes a Mars expedition to the Lamont Hussey Observatory in Bloemfontein to take the best photos yet of Mars, including the first colour photo ever. Got help from Boyden engineer Eric Burton to put up the camera.

4. 1964 - NASA uses Slipher’s Maps of Mars for the first flyby (Mariner 4) to take the first Pics of the surface, and no canals! From here follows the rest of the Mars expeditions by NASA.

5. 2000 – Amateur Astronomers discovers the camera Slipher used for the first colour photograph of Mars behind the Elephant camp in the zoo.

6. 2014 – Slipher’s exhibit opens at the Boyden Museum.

7. 20?? – 13 inch Alvan Clark exhibit opens with a (better then Hubble) Mars photo taken from the 13 inch by Clyde Foster.

How’s That!

Dawid Van JAARSVELDT (Bloemfontein, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: RE: Mars 2016/09/29 1523UT CM270

Received: 30 September 2016 at 18:54 JST

Dawie

That is awesome! Thanks for sharing. Methinks that some more Mars images should be taken through that scope….

Best regards,

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: RE: Mars 2016/09/29 1523UT CM270

Received: 30 September 2016 at 18:30 JST

Clyde et al.

On the topic of Mars….

Just received two photographic plates from Harvard Observatory of the first series of photos ever taken of Mars by William Pickering in 1888 using Boyden’s 13 inch Alvan Clark Telescope.

For photos and more go to our facebook at https://www.facebook.com/boyden123

Greetings

Dawid Van JAARSVELDT (Bloemfontein, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/09/29 1523UT CM270

Received: 30 September 2016 at 18:04 JST

Hi all,

Conditions a little improved yesterday afternoon. There appears to be some cloud in the NP region. Other than that it looks like Curiosity rover doesn’t need to be too worried about the weather just yet．

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160929/CFs29Sept16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/09/28 1507UT CM276 IR

Received: 30 September 2016 at 16:30 JST

Hi all,

My apologies for a rather poor image set from 28 September. Seeing conditions were very poor. Submitting for the record , and at least there is some detail visible on the IR image.

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160928/CFs28Sept16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Mars August 24

Received: 30 September 2016 at 11:48 JST

Better seeing.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160824/PMx24Aug16.jpg

Paul MAXSON (Surprise, AZ)

¤····Subject: Mars August 22

Received: 29 September 2016 at 12:01 JST

Unsteady seeing.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160822/PMx22Aug16.jpg

Paul MAXSON (Surprise, AZ)

¤····Subject: Solar Images September 2016

Received: 28 September 2016 at 17:53 JST

Hi Guys Here is a selection of images from 13th to the 24th of September, a couple in good seeing and the rest in average seeing. I noticed some small flares in AR 2593 and AR2596 at 09:49ut on the 23th.

The Ha images are half the resolution of the white light images, that is with the 7 inch AP reduced to 3.5 inches by the addition of the 90mm Coronado etalon.

The sprawling spot group AR2593 showed no penumbra at all on the 24th. Let me have a go at classifying it, as a complete beginner, to me it seems to fit the Bxo Mackintosh classification. Now for AR2596, lets try Cso for that one. How did I do?

Info obtained from “A Laboratory Guide for Astronomy “ by Mike D Reynolds and Michael E Bakich.

best wishes

Dave TYLER (Bucks, the UK)

www.david-tyler.com

¤····Subject: Mars: September 27, 2016

Received: 28 September 2016 at 12:37 JST

Hi,

I am sending in my latest images of Mars September 27, 2016 at 22:50 UT.

Thanks,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160927/FMl27Sept16.jpg

Frank J MELILLO (Holtsville, NY)

¤····Subject: Mars August 15

Received: 28 September 2016 at 08:14 JST

Average seeing.
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160815/PMx15Aug16.jpg

Paul MAXSON (Surprise, AZ)

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/09/27 1450UT CM282 IR

Received: 28 September 2016 at 02:50 JST

Hi all,

Mars capture from this afternoon. Seeing conditions were very poor and the IR image was taken through high cloud which rapidly thickened and closed over the planet. Colour imaging was not possible.

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160927/CFs27Sept16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Mars: September 24, 2016

Received: 27 September 2016 at 12:21 JST

Hi,

I have attached my latest image of Mars September 24, 2016 at 22:37 UT.

Thanks,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160924/FMl24Sept16.jpg

Frank J MELILLO (Holtsville, NY)

¤····Subject: Mars: September 22, 2016

Received: 27 September 2016 at 12:18 JST

Hi,

I have attache my image of Mars September 22, 2016,

Thanks,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160922/FMl22Sept16.jpg

Frank J MELILLO (Holtsville, NY)

¤····Subject: Mars - Sept.16th, 17th, 23rd

Received: 27 September 2016 at 10:14 JST

Hi Mr. Minami and All!, Here are my sessions under below average conditions.
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160916/EMr16Sept16.jpg

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160917/EMr17Sept16.jpg

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160923/EMr23Sept16.jpg

Efrain MORALES RIVERA (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico)

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/09/26 1523UT CM299

Received: 27 September 2016 at 03:31 JST

Hi all,

Mars capture from this afternoon. Unfortunately seeing conditions were very poor.

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160926/CFs26Sept16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: RE: Mars 2016/09/25 1517UT CM307

Received: 26 September 2016 at 02:34 JST

Hi all,

Mars capture from this afternoon, with the planet now down at 9”. The subtle markings in Hellas seem to be reasonably consistent(note the IR images) over the last couple of days, possibly indicating that the dust is settled? Other interpretations are welcome.

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160925/CFs25Sept16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: RE: Mars 2016/09/24 1507UT CM315

Received: 25 September 2016 at 17:42 JST

Hi all,

Mars capture from yesterday afternoon. Possibly some subtle linear markings in Hellas.

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160924/CFs24Sept16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Mars August 14

Received: 25 September 2016 at 11:20 JST

Poor seeing.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160814/PMx14Aug16.jpg

Paul MAXSON (Surprise, AZ)

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/09/23 1511UT CM325

Received: 24 September 2016 at 15:04 JST

Hi all,

Mars capture from yesterday afternoon. Jim, pretty much in agreement with your comments of yesterday-thanks.

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160923/CFs23Sept16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Mars August 12

Received: 24 September 2016 at 06:30 JST

Average seeing.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160812/PMx12Aug16.jpg

Paul MAXSON (Surprise, AZ)

¤····Subject: Re: Mars 2016/09/22 1512UT CM335

Received: 24 September 2016 at 06:24 JST

Hi Clyde.
It looks like the dust clouds West of Hellas have dissipated, but Hellas shows dust inside and in lobes in the Southwest and Northeast corners. It's hard to tell if airborne dust or recently deposited fine dust on the ground.
Good seeing,

Jim MELKA (Chesterfield, MO)

¤····Subject: Mars image 20160923UT

Received: 23 September 2016 at 20:26 JST

Mars image on 23 September 2016.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160923/Og23Sept16.jpg

Tadao OHSUGI (Ishikawa, JAPAN)

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/09/22 1512UT CM335

Received: 23 September 2016 at 16:17 JST

HI all,

My Mars capture from yesterday afternoon.

The main(Colour) image is a little bit less processed than normal, as I have tried to highlight some structure extending over the north western edge of the Hellas basin. The separate channel images have been generated from a more processed image. The bright north western side of Hellas can be seen quite nicely in the IR and R images. Hoping for reasonable conditions over the next few days.

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160922/CFs22Sept16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Mars (March 23rd.)

Received: 23 September 2016 at 05:56 JST

Hi all,

Finishing off some sessions taken back in March.

This one taken in good seeing shows the Tharsis orographics especially nicely.

http://www.damianpeach.com/mars1617/m2016-03-23-RGB.jpg

Best Wishes

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160323/DPc23Mar16.jpg

Damian PEACH (Selsey, WS, the UK)

Web: http://www.damianpeach.com/

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/09/21 1508UT CM344

Received: 22 September 2016 at 13:00 JST

Hi all,

Somewhat improved conditions for this capture from this afternoon. Hellas coming into view.

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160921/CFs21Sept16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Mars August 9

Received: 22 September 2016 at 11:12 JST

Shot in windy conditions.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160810/PMx10Aug16.jpg

Paul MAXSON (Surprise, AZ)

¤····Subject: Mars August 9

Received: 21 September 2016 at 08:34 JST

Average at best.
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160809/PMx09Aug16.jpg

Paul MAXSON (Surprise, AZ)

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/09/20 1527UT CM358

Received: 21 September 2016 at 03:31 JST

Hi all,

Unfortunately very poor conditions this afternoon. The image is quite heavily processed although the SPC and Hellas regions are less processed in order to minimise burnout.

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160920/CFs20Sept16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Re: Mars 2016/09/19 1519UT CM6

Received: 20 September 2016 at 15:57 JST

Hi, Jim.

Thanks as always for your comments. My initial thoughts regarding the large, broad band across the upper section of the planet was that it may be "fallout" (settled/settling dust) from the recent Hellas storm.

I haven't seen many "after the storm" images over the last few days, so I am hoping that the weather settles here and I can monitor this region and also Hellas over the next week or so.

Best regards,

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Re: Mars 2016/09/19 1519UT CM6

Received: 20 September 2016 at 14:39 JST

Hi Clyde

Your picture shows a massive dust storm to the West of Hellas. Now the question is are the dust clouds produced by South to North winds from the edge of the subliming CO2 ice or are they produced by East to West prevailing winds in the current season? Possibly both!

There is a lot of imagery to interpret.

Thanks.

Jim MELKA (Chesterfield, MO)

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/09/19 1519UT CM6

Received: 20 September 2016 at 04:10 JST

Hi all,

After a few days of overcast weather there was a sufficient gap this afternoon to capture the attached image set.

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160919/CFs19Sept16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: mars: September 16, 2016 UT

Received: 18 September 2016 at 09:50 JST

Hi,

I have attached my latest image of Mars September 16, 2016 at 23:09 UT.

Thanks,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160916/FMl16Sept16.jpg

Frank J MELILLO (Holtsville, NY)

¤····Subject: Mars - Sept.10,11,12th

Received: 15 September 2016 at 00:14 JST

Hi Mr.Minami and All!,

Here I submit my sessions from sept.10,11 and 12th. under below/average conditions.
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160910/EMr10Sept16.jpg

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160911/EMr11Sept16.jpg

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160912/EMr12Sept16.jpg

Efrain MORALES RIVERA (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico)

¤····Subject: Mars August 8

Received: 17 September 2016 at 08:40 JST

Average seeing.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160808/PMx08Aug16.jpg

Paul MAXSON (Surprise, AZ)

¤····Subject: Solar image to 11-September-2016

Received: 16 September 2016 at 06:24 JST

Hi Guys These images bring my backlog up to date. Some from wow seeing and some from normal. With the good seeing on the 30th August and 11th September, I pushed the f ratio to a silly length, as on screen it just “worked,” I doesn’t actually resolves more, but it’s interesting to push the equipment beyond the norm. Less noise from less screen enlargement may be a plus. The images reminds me of a bowl of sweet-corn with raisins ! Not that I take raisins with sweet-corn, but hey don’t knock it till,,,,,,,,,,,.

The excellent on the 11th encouraged the imaging of vast fields of convection cells.

I have included an image from the 31st Aug that was wrongly identified as AR2584 it is now corrected to AR2585

Best wishes

Dave TYLER (Bucks, the UK)

www.david-tyler.com

¤····Subject: Mars August 7

Received: 16 September 2016 at 03:56 JST

Average seeing only.
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160807/PMx07Aug16.jpg

Paul MAXSON (Surprise, AZ)

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/09/15 1508UT CM42

Received: 16 September 2016 at 02:29 JST

Hi all,

My Mars capture from this afternoon.

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160915/CFs15Sept16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Mars opposition move 2016

Received: 15 September 2016 at 05:16 JST

Hi all,

Here is animation made from all the Barbados Mars imagery taken between June 4th - 18th.
http://www.damianpeach.com/mars1617/marsanim2016.gif

Best Wishes

Damian PEACH (Selsey, WS, the UK)

Web: http://www.damianpeach.com/

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/09/14 1518UT CM54 DUST IN NILIACUS LACUS

Received: 15 September 2016 at 02:57 JST

Hi all,

A cold front has come through and cloud only cleared in time for this capture. However, seeing was very poor, making for difficult processing.

Despite that, it appears to me that the cloud in Argyre has dissipated somewhat, whilst the two clouds over Niliacus Lacus may have consolidated and may even have increased in intensity. Hopefully I will be able to monitor over the next few days, although cloud and rain is forecast for the weekend.

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160914/CFs14Sept16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/09/13 1512UT CM62

DUST IN ARGYRE AND ACROSS NILIACUS LACUS/CHRYSE?

Received: 14 September 2016 at 16:37 JST

Hi all,

A separate colour image highlighting the current activity in both hemispheres.

Best Regards,

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/09/13 1512UT CM62

DUST IN ARGYRE AND ACROSS NILIACUS LACUS/CHRYSE?

Received: 14 September 2016 at 03:05 JST

Hi all,

The Argyre region appears to remain active with the red channel indicating substantial dust.

There also appears to be dust activity over Niliacus Lacus/Chryse. This seems to be either a single storm with two sections, or two storms in close proximity.

Again, any comments or alternative interpretations are welcome.

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160913/CFs13Sept16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Mars (June 18th.)

Received: 14 September 2016 at 03:04 JST

Hi all,

Here are some Mars images from June 18th showing Syrtis Major. Seeing was excellent.

RGB1: http://www.damianpeach.com/mars1617/m2016-06-18-RGB01.jpg
RGB2: http://www.damianpeach.com/mars1617/m2016-06-18-RGB02.jpg

Best Wishes

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160618/DPc18June16.jpg

Damian PEACH (Selsey, WS, the UK)

Web: http://www.damianpeach.com/

¤····Subject: Re: Mars 2016/09/12 1520UT CM74

Received: 13 September 2016 at 23:26 JST

In your latest image, Clyde, it appears to me that there may be three separate lumps of brightness within Argyre. This peculiarity is consistent with dust cores. On the other hand, in the red image Argyre is not brighter than eastern Chryse, and like eastern Chryse it is aligned in the second brightness ring of diffraction effects. I'm afraid that, just by viewing the
image, I have to consider it suggestive of dust but, by itself, insufficient evidence to be sure. This type of reasoning is often applicable with suggestions of dust storms, and it's why we always want more images!

Keep up the good work.

Roger VENABLE (Chester, GA )

¤····Subject: Re: Mars 2016/09/12 1520UT CM74

Received: 13 September 2016 at 14:18 JST

Thanks, Jim.

I've seen a number of images over the last week indicating the expansion (and possible dissipation?) of the Hellas dust storm to both the east and west, so was expecting (hoping! )to see at least some indication of dust possibly on the south preceding part of the planet, which may actually be the case. However I agree that Argyre looks bright enough in the red to indictate that there may be additional dust storm activity taking place.

Comments welcome. Regards,

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Mars: September 12, 2016

Received: 13 September 2016 at 11:43 JST

Hi,

I have attached my latest images of Mars September 12, 2016 at 23:07 UT.

Thanks,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160912/FMl12Sept16.jpg

Frank J MELILLO (Holtsville, NY)

¤····Subject: Mars July 31

Received: 13 September 2016 at 09:06 JST

More of the same.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160731/PMx31July16.jpg

Paul MAXSON (Surprise, AZ)

¤····Subject: Re: Mars 2016/09/12 1520UT CM74

Received: 13 September 2016 at 07:29 JST

Hi Clyde,

Your previous image and this one shows Argyre to elongated and much brighter than usual. I'm thinking it's dust clouds. If you can keep imaging, then we will know for sure. Thanks,

Jim MELKA (Chesterfield, MO)

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/09/12 1520UT CM74

Received: 13 September 2016 at 05:01 JST

Hi all,

Resorting to almost daylight conditions to try and get the best seeing conditions, but processing is becoming more difficult. Argyre region remains bright.

Best Regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160912/CFs12Sept16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Mars July 29

Received: 13 September 2016 at 00:36 JST

Unsteady seeing.
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160729/PMx29July16.jpg

Paul MAXSON (Surprise, AZ)

¤····Subject: Solar images end of August 2016

Received: 12 September 2016 at 18:24 JST

Hi Guys This set concludes August images. The star of the show for me was the appearance of AR2584 on the 31st, captured here in a bit of descent seeing.

For the record, the white light images are off an AP178 T with an Intes wedge at f22, on the 3.5Mu pixels of the ZWO ASI 120 MM-S

Ha images are off a 90mm solarmax set, single stack atop the 178.

Best wishes

Dave TYLER (Bucks, the UK)

www.david-tyler.com

¤····Subject: Mars 10 September 2016

Received: 12 September 2016 at 13:20 JST

Dear Dr.Minami,
Attached here is my latest Mars image with my new ASI 290MC camera, managed to capture through a hole in the heavy clouds. Seeing was better go out drinking one, but the image suggests the extention of the dust along southern mid to high latitude zone.

Clear Skies with Good Seeing!

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160910/Kn10Sept16.jpg

Reiichi KONNAÏ (Fukushima, JAPAN)

¤····Subject: Mars image 2016/09/11UT T.Ohsugi

Received: 12 September 2016 at 11:12 JST

Mars image on 11 September 2016.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160911/Og11Sept16.jpg

Tadao OHSUGI (Ishikawa, JAPAN)

¤····Subject: Uranus, Oberon, Titania, Umbriel & Ariel 2016.09.07

Received: 12 September 2016 at 06:51 JST

Dears,
Under goood conditions, probably my cleaner Uranus made with my 320mm ... the bright North polar zone is visible like often, but maybe also the white equatorial band...

1h derotation:

http://www.astrosurf.com/delcroix/images/planches/u20160907i-02h47.5UT-MDe.png

A single 15min acquisition:
http://www.astrosurf.com/delcroix/images/planches/u20160907i-02h25.0UT-MDe.png

Steady skies,

Marc DELCROIX (Tournefeuille, FRANCE)

http://astrosurf.com/delcroix

¤····Subject: Neptune & Triton 2016.09.07

Received: 12 September 2016 at 06:14 JST

Dears,

Neptune and Triton with 2 stars in the background, showing Neptune movement over one hour. Very average conditions, some brightness is visible, but difficult to measure.

http://www.astrosurf.com/delcroix/images/planches/n20160907i-01h02.8UT-MDe.png

Steady skies,

Marc DELCROIX (Tournefeuille, FRANCE)

http://astrosurf.com/delcroix

¤····Subject: Uranus and Neptune September 8-9 2016

Received: 12 September 2016 at 05:47 JST

Hi all,
A new night of excellent seeing on the two ice giants. This time my best Neptune in true colors, some tests in R+IR and a pure IR Uranus showing the NP region with good contrast.

http://www.astrosurf.com/pellier/N2016-09-09_00-57_1_rgb_cp
http://www.astrosurf.com/pellier/N2016-09-08_23-38_3_rir_cp
http://www.astrosurf.com/pellier/N2016-09-09_00-13_8_rir_cp
http://www.astrosurf.com/pellier/U2016-09-09_03-12_ir_cp
Best wishes,

Christophe PELLIER (Nantes, FRANCE)

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/09/11 1516UT CM83

Received: 12 September 2016 at 04:12 JST

Hi all,

An early twilight capture of Mars with Argyre region appearing bright, although this appears to extend across quite a large area. Possibly my first capture of the activity that initiated in Hellas and has extended east and west? The fine line of cloud near the SPC is persisting.

I have not tried to process out the preceding limb arc.

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160911/CFs11Sept16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Mo09Sept_16

Received: 11 September 2016 at 22:15 JST

Mars images on 09 September 2016.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160909/Mo09Sept16.jpg

Yukio MORITA (Hiroshima, JAPAN)

¤····Subject: Mars2016_11 Sept RGB images

Received: 11 September 2016 at 11:52 JST

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160911/GWk11Sept16.jpg

Gary WALKER (Macon, GA)

¤····Subject: Mars July 28

Received: 11 September 2016 at 09:18 JST

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160728/PMx28July16.jpg

Paul MAXSON (Surprise, AZ)

¤····Subject: Mars2016_09 Sept RGB images

Received: 11 September 2016 at 07:14 JST

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160909/GWk09Sept16.jpg

Gary WALKER (Macon, GA)

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/09/09 1654UT CM126

-Franklin-Adams refractor ASSA Johannesburg, Johannesburg Observatory

Received: 10 September 2016 at 18:38 JST

Hi all,

Something a bit different and rather special for me.

With my recent appointment as Director of Shallow Sky Section of the ASSA, one of the rather pleasant spin-offs has been an increase in interaction with some of the great South African Astronomical institutions.

Yesterday I was invited by Jerome Jooste of ASSA Johannesburg to visit the Johannesburg Observatory (previously known as the Transvaal, Union and Republic Observatory) to test my imaging on the historical 6” Franklin-Adams refractor. I am trying to dig out more information on the telescope, but believe it dates back to the 1880’s, and is an f18 Cooke triplet. The Observatory also still houses the 26,5” Innes refractor which is currently being used for double star work, but which has been used for planetary work in the past.

I had a great session taking some lunar images and then managed to capture a couple of Mars images as the sky darkened. Seeing for the Mars session was deteriorating(although also not terribly bad) with intermittent cloud moving in.

The colour correction on the scope looked excellent and it certainly was a privilege for me to be able to image through this scope.

Attached is the Mars capture(south is top), which, given that it was a 6” scope, the seeing, and that Mars is now below 10”, I was fairly happy with. I used a 2x Barlow.

I unfortunately did not have the fittings to attach an electronic focuser, so resorted to manual- not ideal, but do-able.

Regarding the recent dust storm activity, the south following limb(upper right) appears suspiciously bright.

I have attached a few photos from the session- a memorable experience.

Best regards, and I will be back in my own observatory this evening, weather permitting,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160909/CFs09Sept16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/09/09-Kumamori

Received: 10 September 2016 at 16:48 JST

Mars images on 9 Sptember 2016.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160909/Km09Sept16.jpg

Teruaki KUMAMORI (Osaka, JAPAN)

¤····Subject: Mars2016 09-09 CM = 251.1

Received: 10 September 2016 at 06:31 JST

HI,

This image of Mars with poor seeing at an altitude of 29 degrees has Hellas coming around the limb.

Telescope was a TEC 200 ED refractor @ f-52.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160909/MHd09Sept16.jpg

Mike HOOD (Kathleen, GA)

¤····Subject: Mars - September 7th, 8th

Received: 9 September 2016 at 12:41 JST

Hi Mr. Minami and All !, here are my latest sessions from Sept. 7,8th. Under average conditions.
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160907/EMr07Sept16.jpg

Efrain MORALES RIVERA (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico)

¤····Subject: Mars: September 8, 2016 UT

Received: 9 September 2016 at 10:34 JST

Hi ,

I have attached my latest Mars images September 8, 2016 at 23:12 UT and 23:29 UT.

Thanks,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160908/FMl08Sept16.jpg

Frank J MELILLO (Holtsville, NY)

¤····Subject: Mars - September 8

Received: 9 September 2016 at 05:26 JST

Dear Masatsugu and Masami,

Attach is a set of images of Mars taken on September 8th. The dust cloud over Hellas is still obvious but perhaps a little dissipated from the previous day. I will try again tonight but it’s pretty cloudy here right now.

Best wishes,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160908/WFl08Sept16.jpg

Bill FLANAGAN (Houston, TX)

¤····Subject: Mars2016_09_08 CM=278.2

Received: 9 September 2016 at 05:00 JST

Hi,

This image in black and white was taken with Mars at 22 degrees above my horizon with very poor seeing.

It was taken with a TEC 200 ED refractor at F-52. The dust can be seen in Hellas.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160908/MHd08Sept16.jpg

Mike HOOD (Kathleen, GA)

¤····Subject: Mars July 27

Received: 9 September 2016 at 04:01 JST

Back to July processing.
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160727/PMx27July16.jpg

Paul MAXSON (Surprise, AZ)

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/09/08 1519UT CM112

Received: 9 September 2016 at 02:41 JST

Hi all,

Improved conditions this evening.

A few notes:

a) I have left the preceding limb region, including the spc, less processed in order to reduce burnout.

b) A fine line of cloud is visible just below the spc

c) The sp limb(upper left) appears to be quite bright

d) I have left the limb arc unprocessed as this may give misleading interpretation.

e) This hemisphere appears to remain fairly clear

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160908/CFs08Sept16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Mars2016_07 Sept

Received: 8 September 2016 at 10:57 JST

Rather poor resolution due to seeing and low altitude.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160907/GWk07Sept16.jpg

Gary WALKER (Macon, GA)

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/09/07 1527UT CM124

Received: 8 September 2016 at 05:33 JST

Hi all,

Mars at 10 arc seconds with the Tharsis region central and Olympus Mons lower right of central. Conditions made processing a bit of a challenge and the SPC is overprocessed. During processing light cloud was noted close to the SPC. No obvious significant activity.

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160907/CFs07Sept16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Mars - September 7

Received: 8 September 2016 at 05:01 JST

Dear Masatsugu and Masami,

Attach is a set of images of Mars taken on September 7th. There appears to be a dust cloud over Hellas which is particularly visible in the red image. Hopefully it will clear the evening and I will be able to capture to some more images of this event.

Best wishes,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160907/WFl07Sept16.jpg

Bill FLANAGAN (Houston, TX)

¤····Subject: Mars September 6

Received: 8 September 2016 at 04:35 JST

Better seeing.
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160906/PMx06Sept16.jpg

Paul MAXSON (Surprise, AZ)

¤····Subject: Mars 2016 09-07 CM = 284.5

Received: 8 September 2016 at 04:28 JST

Hi,

This image of Mars was taken with a TEC 200 ED refractor with Mars only 24 degrees above my horizon.

It shows the progression of the dust cloud in Hellas.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160907/MHd07Sept16.jpg

Mike HOOD (Kathleen, GA)

¤····Subject: Mars - August 31st, September 2nd

Received: 7 September 2016 at 12:45 JST

Hi Mr. Minami and All !, I submit here my latest sessions From August 31st, September 2nd (2) sets under below to average conditions. T/S has departed our region to continue on imaging.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160831/EMr31Aug16.jpg

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160902/EMr02Sept16.jpg

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160902/EMr02Sept16n.jpg

Efrain MORALES RIVERA (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico)

¤····Subject: Mars - August 29th

Received: 7 September 2016 at 12:54 JST

Hi Mr. Minami and All !, Here is a session from August 29th under average conditions.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160829/EMr29Aug16.jpg

Efrain MORALES RIVERA (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico)

¤····Subject: Mars September 5

Received: 7 September 2016 at 08:45 JST

Wish there was better seeing..

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160905/PMx05Sept16.jpg

Paul MAXSON (Surprise, AZ)

¤····Subject: Dust storm has almost tripled in size since first sighted on September 3rd

Received: 7 September 2016 at 08:13 JST

Hi again Roger and Richard,

The attached image is better quality than my Sep. 3rd image. Yes, it still has a long way to go to be planet-wide. Need to watch for new clouds elsewhere than Hellas region.

Good seeing,

Jim MELKA (Chesterfield, MO)

¤····Subject: Mars 2016/09/06 1527UT CM134

Received: 7 September 2016 at 04:28 JST

Hi all,

Returned from my road trip to Cape town a few hours ago and was keen to see the latest conditions on Mars, given the recent activity in and around Hellas. Unfortunately seeing was rather poor. However, Olympus Mons and the Tharsis volcanoes are detectable, and to me there does not seem to be any significant activity on this face of Mars. The cloud in the North Polar region seems fairly well consolidated.

As always, should there be any alternative comments, I would be interested to hear them.

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160906/CFs06Sept16.jpg

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤····Subject: Mars September 4

Received: 6 September 2016 at 09:01 JST

Showing dust in the Hellas region. Poor seeing.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160904/PMx04Sept16.jpg

Paul MAXSON (Surprise, AZ)

¤····Subject: Mars 9-05-2016 CM = 287.2

Received: 6 September 2016 at 03:29 JST

Dears,

Under good conditions, Uranus, 4 satellites and a faint star in infrared, showing the bright polar zone and a possible white spot near the equator:

http://www.astrosurf.com/delcroix/images/planches/u20160902i-02h51.8UT-MDe.png
http://www.astrosurf.com/delcroix/images/planches/u20160902i-02h59.4UT-MDe.png

A 2 images animation:

http://www.astrosurf.com/delcroix/images/planches/u20160902i-MDe.gif

Out of all amateur observations, I know only of a single observation end of July of a possible spot at that latitude, which would lead to a drift rate around -12.95°/d.

Steady skies,

Marc DELCROIX (Tournefeuille, FRANCE)

http://astrosurf.com/delcroix

¤····Subject: Mars 9-05-2016 CM = 287.2

Received: 6 September 2016 at 03:29 JST

Hi,

This image of Mars catches the dust cloud in Hellas. I had poor conditions and only took a black and white image. I restricted the image to a 685nm - 700nm range.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160905/MHd05Sept16.jpg

Mike HOOD (Kathleen, GA)

¤····Subject: Large dust cloud in Hellas and to the East

Received: 5 September 2016 at 04:36 JST

Hi folks,

Only large scale features discernible with a 'seeing' of 2/10 but good enough to recognize a dust cloud in Hellas and covering Mare Hadriacum to the East. Please see attachment.

Good seeing,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160903/JMl03Sept16.jpg

Jim MELKA (Chesterfield, MO)

¤····Subject: Saturn near perfect seeing (June 17th)

Received: 5 September 2016 at 01:06 JST

Hi all,

Close to perfect seeing at times for this session - possibly the best of this entire spell of imaging during June. The Encke division can be seen in the raw frames and the Maxwell division is visible in ring C. Put the eyepiece in for a look at the end and the view was like a still photo at 400x. Wonderful stuff.

http://www.damianpeach.com/sat1617/s2016-06-17-RGB.jpg

Best Wishes

Damian PEACH (Selsey, WS, the UK)

Web: http://www.damianpeach.com/

¤····Subject: Mars July 25

Received: 4 September 2016 at 09:15 JST

Average seeing.
http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160725/PMx25July16.jpg

Paul MAXSON (Surprise, AZ)

¤····Subject: Uranus on August 31th 2016

Received: 4 September 2016 at 03:20 JST

hi all,
Seeing was excellent that night. The brighter polar region is visible in the true color image.

http://www.astrosurf.com/pellier/U2016-08-31_02-31_rgb_cp
http://www.astrosurf.com/pellier/U2016-08-31_03-22_rir_cp

best wishes,

Christophe PELLIER (Nantes, FRANCE)

¤····Subject: Solar image mid August 2016 plus one of Saturn

Received: 3 September 2016 at 22:04 JST

Hi Guys here is a selection of solar activity during mid August some in mediocre seeing and some in good. New spots are being fed regularly onto the conveyor so keeping the interest there. There are several images showing the diminishing resolution of convection cells as we image nearer the limb.

It was nice to image Saturn during the narrow time window from acquisition at dusk to poorer seeing as darkness ensued and the temperature dropped. I have included a couple of action shots just to share the fun.

Anyone know how to remove that motofocus gearwheel that I don’t need ? I have tried removing the centre screw in the brass sleeve but it still stays firmly in place.

Best wishes

Dave TYLER (Bucks, the UK)

www.david-tyler.com

¤····Subject: Mars (June 17th.)

Received: 3 September 2016 at 21:30 JST

Hi all,

Good seeing. Syrtis Major nicely on view. Some dust activity remains over Mare Erythraeum.

RGB1: http://www.damianpeach.com/mars1617/m2016-06-17-RGB1.jpg

RGB2: http://www.damianpeach.com/mars1617/m2016-06-17-RGB2.jpg

Best Wishes

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2016/160617/DPc17June16.jpg

Damian PEACH (Selsey, WS, the UK)