LtE in CMO #241
From Carlos E HERNANDEZ
@.
. . . . . Masami-san,
The
current Mars apparition is turning out to be a very interesting one. Much detail
is noted over the disk even though the apparent diameter is still small (8.2").
I am excited as the planet increases in apparent size. I have attached my latest Mars
observation. I hope that you like it. The best of luck to you, Dr. Minami,
your fellow recorders and the rest of the OAA Mars Section.
Regards,
(7
March 2001 email)
>Date (U.T.) March 6,
2001
>Time (U.T.) 11:00 (left image), 11:15
(right image)
>CM: 174.5 (left image), 178.2 (right
image)
>Ls: 126.6,
De: 5.0, Ds: 19.7
>Diameter (arc-seconds):
8.2
>Instrument: 8-inch (20-cm) f/7.5
Newtonian
>Magnification: 305x, 318x,
492x
>Filters: Wratten 23A, 38A,
64
>Seeing (1-10): 5-6, Antoniadi (I-V):
III
>Transparency (1-6):
6
>Violet (W47, or Blue (W38A) Clearing:
0-1
Notes:
11:00 U.T. (left image): A drawing of Mars made using
a red (Wratten 23A) filter. The North Polar Cap (NPC) is small and brilliant
along the north polar limb. The NPC appears to be surrounded by a dark to dusky
(3-4/10) collar consisting of Scandia, Lemuria, and Panchaia. The region between
Diacria and Trivium Charontis appears as a mottled dark to dusky (3-4/10)
complex which includes Azania, Hades, and Phlegra. The Amazonis-Arcadia region
appears dusky to dull (4-5/10) towards the preceding limb adjacent to an
extremely bright (9/10) evening limb haze and cloud. An extremely bright (9/10)
cloud appears over the western (following) half of Elysium. Mare Sirenum and
Mare Cimmerium appear dark (3/10) towards the southern limb separated by a thin,
dull (5/10) strip (Atlantis I and II). An extremely bright (9/10) southern limb
haze (SLH) and morning limb haze (MLH) is noted as
well.
11:15 U.T. (right image): A drawing of Mars made using
blue (W38A) and blue-green (W64) filters. The disk is encircled by an extremely
bright (9/10) haze over the preceding (evening limb haze (ELH)), southern (SLH),
following (morning limb haze (MLH)), and northern limbs. A Violet Clearing (or
Blue (W38A)) of 0-1 was noted at this time (Mare Sirenum, Scandia, Diacria, and
Panchaia).
@.
. . . . . Masami-san,
I
have compared an image of the Elysium region obtained by Donald Parker on July
7, 1999 to one obtained recently on March 1, 2001 and I do notice a difference
between the two, albeit it is still early in the apparition and the apparent
diameter is small. In the July 7, 1999 image the Trivium Charontis-Cerberus
region is weak whereas in the March 1, 2001 image it is more noticeable (darker
and broader).
The
Azania-Phlegra region appears to have darkened in general, although the western
half of Phlegra does appear darker in the 1999 image. The Propontis Complex does
appear to be more diffuse at this time compared to 1999 (dark condensation in
1999). The Hyblaeus Extension does
appear to have lightened a bit and is less broad compared to 1999 (oriented in a
NE-SW direction).
As
previously mentioned it is still early in the apparition and as the planet
increases in apparent diameter we will need to scrutinize this region
carefully.
(8 March 2001 email)
Carlos E HERNANDEZ (Miami FL USA)