From Frank J MELILLO
@. . .
. . Here are my latest Mars images as of 4/14/2001. I obtained some of the
violet images. It will be posted on the Marswatch 2001.
Regards,
(14
April 2001 email)
@. . .
. . Actually, I took two images of Mars in red light Wr. #25 on April 14th at
8:26 and 8:34 UT. They both show a dark spot in Mare Sirenum. (I sent already to
all of you one image of the red.) I didn't look careful at my images and I
didn't suspect anything at that moment except that I was looking at a dark spot.
Nothing hit me and nothing was looking bright in that area. However in violet
light Wr. #47, the SPH was showing and the morning clouds was seen along the
eastern limb.
Now I
see both red images are showing Mare Sirenum the eastern part visible while
other part was obscured. But, I usually see Mare Sirenum stretches across the
southern disk at CM 130 longitude. This time I didn't.
Regards,
(17
April 2001 email)
@. . .
. . Originally, I was planning to image Mars this weekend. But the weather will
be cloudy and with a chance of showers in New York City area. Luckily, I imaged
Mars early Friday morning before the clouds arrived.
To look
after the "possible" dust storm, Mare Sirenum is completely obscured (if I'm not
mistaken) on the eastern side of the disk
while
Solis Lacus is prominent along the western side. I compared it with a similar
view I had in 1986 and Mare Sirenum was clearly visible at CM 90 degrees
longitude!
In
violet light Wr.#47, the SPH is visible at large while the NPH is quite small.
Some white clouds along the east and southeast limb.
Did anybody see Mars at the same
time?
Regards,
(21
April 2001 email)
@. . .
. . Dear Rich Mckim and all Mars observers-
Thanks
for your e-mail.
Still,
I'm not sure myself if it is dust scattered around Mare Sirenum. It is not
bright in Red light and there is no boundary lines.
Yes,
you're right that Mare Sirenum is difficult and a lot thinner to see at this CM
longitude 90 degrees. Another thing; At CM - 85 degrees longitude, Solis Lucas
should be right above the center of the disk. Maybe it is obscured by the dust
also. It is quite blank in that area. But toward the West, it is perhaps part of
Solis Lucas and then Mare Erythraeum to the limb. I still don't know if the SPH
plays a trick on this! It is clearly visible with a Wr.#47 violet
filter.
I hope
you guys observed Mars nearly the same time I did to solve this
matter.
Regards,
(22
April 2001 email)
Frank J
MELILLO (NY, USA)
Director, the ALPO Mercury Section