LtE in CMO #241
From Frank J MELILLO
@. . . . . . I know this
is hard to believe. On April 25th and April, 30th, 1999, my UV images of Venus
show the possibility of the radial pattern first time ever that was seen by
Percival Lowell in 1896. Lowell had sketched Venus what appeared to be a dark
spot with lines radiated from the center. Then, it became a "Spoke-like" feature
which is similar to a cartwheel. In his days, nearly all planetary astronomers
did not agree 
that the Spoke
system existed. Unfortunately, Lowell's sketches of Venus were never followed up
and it came to
a conclusion that the Spoke system was just an illusion.
Several
observers may have seen some kind of radial pattern like Lowell did in 1896.
But, they have never been confirmed. According to Venus experts, my images made
a breakthrough that a possible Spoke system has now been imaged or rediscovered
for the very first time and matched with Lowell's drawing very well. There are
no other photographs of Venus with radial markings. These images went unnoticed
for a year and a half until one Venus expert saw them and made an announcement.
But first, they must analyze the results.
This
observation will be written up. Attached to this e-mail, you will see Lowell's
sketch in 1896 on the left and my two CCD images on the right.Please, let me
know your comments!
Regards,
(13
March 2001 email)
(Editor's Note): As to the MELILLO email on 13 Mar, Rik HILL gave the following comment on 14 Mar at 02:36:
Frank, Does the center of
your "spoke system" coincide with the subsolar point on Venus? If so you may
have images what they call the "eye of Venus" that was imaged by the Mariner 10
spacecraft. -Rik
See also Sam WHITBY's comment contained in the present LtE. (Ts)
@. . . . . . Here are my latest images of Mars on 3-24-2001. I think the SPH was visible along the southern limb. I saw it visually also.
It
will be uploaded on the Marswatch 2001 website. More later.........
Regards,
(25
March 2001 email)
Frank J
MELILLO (NY USA)
Director, the ALPO Mercury
Section