LtE in CMO #246,247

From  Carlos E HERNANDEZ

@. . . . . From: Carlos HERNANDEZ

Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2001 4:59 AM

Subject: June 13, 2001 Mars Observation (02:15 UT)

 

Date (UT): June 13, 2001

Time (UT): 02:15

CM: 212.7

Ls: 177.4, De: +2.8, Ds: +1.1

Diameter (arc-seconds): 20.5

Telescope: 4-inch (10.2-cm) f/10 Off-Axis Reflector (Palermiti Observatory)

Mag.: 120x, 169x

Filters (Wratten): 23A (Light Red)

Seeing (1-10): 4-5, Antoniadi (I-V): IV-III

Transparency (1-6): 5

 

Notes:    An observation of Mars made by Carlos E. Hernandez at the Palermiti Observatory on June 13, 2001 (opposition date) at 02:15 UTusing a unique 4-inch (10.2-cm) off-axis reflector (very high definition and contrast) and a Wratten 23A (light red) filter. Elysium was prominent (8.5/10) following the CM flanked by a darkened (3/10) Trivium Charontis-Cerberus I-Phlegra complex to the east (preceding) and a dark (3/10), elongated Hyblaeus Extension towards the west (following). Cebrenia to the north appears dark to dusky (3-4/10). The North Polar Cap (NPC) is not visible, but an extremely bright (9/10) haze is noted over the north polar limb. Some dusky to dull (4-5/10) albedo features over Panchaia are noted south of the north polar haze. Mare Cimmerium, Syrtis Minor and Mare Tyrrhenum are visibly dark (3/10) towards the south polar limb north of an extremely bright (9/10) south polar haze (SPH). Extremely bright (9/10) morning (MLH) and evening (ELH) limb hazes are noted as well.

 

@. . . . . . . . . . . From: Carlos

Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2001 6:58 AM

Subject: June 13, 2001 Mars Observation (07:40 and 09:00 UT)

 

 

Date (UT): June 13, 2001

Time (UT): 07:40 (left image), 09:00 (right image)

CM: 291.9 (left image), 311.4 (right image)

Ls: 177.5, De: +2.9, Ds: +1.1

Diameter (arc-seconds): 20.5

Telescope: 8-inch (20-cm) f/8.7 TAL-200K Klevtzov Cassegrain (Palermiti Observatory)

Mag.: 253x, 354x

Filters: Wratten 23A (left image); W38A and 64 (right image)

Seeing (1-10): 4-6 (brief moments of 7/10), Antoniadi (I-V): III

Violet (Blue) Clearing (0-3): 2

 

The following observations of Mars were made at the Palermiti Observatory (Jupiter, Florida) using a very unique and outstanding instrument, the TAL 200K Klevtzov Cassegrain. This design is described on the Internet Telescope Exchange web site (http://www.burnettweb.com/ite/index.html)

 "The design consists of a spherical concave primary mirror with a sub-aperture meniscus corrector lens and a spherical secondary mirror both held in a baffled cell which is attached to the aperture end of the tube with a three vane spider (see image above).   The sub-aperture meniscus corrects for spherical aberration and coma and fully compensates for longitudinal chromatic abberation with the help of the secondary mirror which is mounted immediately behind the meniscus.  Because the meniscus and the secondary are made of the same substrate, secondary color in the system is minimal.  This design yields images that are comparable to those generated by the Maksutov-Cassegrain system and are far superior to those generated by the popular mass produced Schmidt-Cassegrains." This observer has had the opportunity to observe through many high-quality specialized instruments, but this is among the finest in it's aperture-range and class. Having used a quality 8-inch (20-cm) f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain for many years I can honestly state that the definition and contrast exhibited by this instrument is far superior. I heartily recommend this instrument to any serious planetary observer or imager.

 

Notes:

07:40 UT (left image):    An observation of Mars made using a Wratten 23A (light red) filter on June 13, 2001 (opposition date). The North Polar Cap (NPC) is visible as an elliptical, and brilliant (10/10) towards the north polar limb. Utopia (3/10) and Dioscuria (4/10) are visible towards the northern limb. Syrtis Major is prominent (3/10) on the CM and appears to be separated from Mare Tyrrhenum (3/10) by a thin, bright (7/10) strip (Crocea). Tritonis Sinus is visible projecting from the south-preceding limb with Hesperia (7/10) following it. Hellas was visibly bright to very bright (7-8/10) towards the southern limb and is bisected by a thin, dusky (4/10) strip (Peneus?). Mare Hadriacum (3/10) is visible over the eastern (preceding) edge of Hellas. Hellespontus is visible a dark (3/10) strip extending between Syrtis Major and Mare Australe towards the south-following (Sf) limb. Mare Australe is visibly dark (3/10) adjacent to the SLH. Sinus Sabaeus (3/10, preceding (or eastern) half) is visible towards the Sf limb partially obscured by an extremely right (9/10) morning limb haze (MLH). An extremely bright (9/10) evening (preceding) limb haze (ELH) and southern limb haze (SLH) is visible as well.

 

09:00 UT (right image):    An observation of Mars made using Wratten blue (38A) and 64 (blue-green) filters. Extremely bright (9/10) northern limb haze (NLH), morning limb haze (MLH, southern limb haze (SLH), and evening limb haze (ELH) were noted. A violet (or blue (W38A)) clearing of 2/3 was noted as well. Hellas appeared very bright (8/10) towards the southern limb.

 

@. . . . . . . . . . .From: Carlos

Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2001 5:47 AM

Subject: June 13, 2001 Mars Observation (04:15 and 06:30 UT)

 

Date (UT): June 13, 2001

Time (UT): 04:15 (left image), 06:30 (right image)

CM: 241.9 (left image), 274.8 (right image)

Ls: 177.5, De: +2.9, Ds: +1.1

Diameter (arc-seconds): 20.5

Telescope: 6-inch (15.2-cm) f/15 Refractor (MPR, Palermiti Observatory)

Mag.: 254x

Filters: Wratten 23A (light red, left image); 38A (blue) and 64

(blue-green), right image)

Seeing (1-10): 4-6, Antoniadi (I-V): III

Violet (Blue,W38A) Clearing (0-3): 2

 

Note:

04:15 UT (left image):    An observation of Mars made by Carlos E. Hernandez using a 6-inch (15.2-cm) f/15 Michael Palermiti Refractor (MPR) and a Wratten 23A (light red) filter at the Palermiti Observatory on June 13, 2001 (opposition date) at 04:15 UT (CM=241.9). The North Polar Cap (NPC) is visible as a small, brilliant oval along the northern limb. Elysium is prominent (8.5/10) preceding the CM with a dark (3/10) Trivium Charontis-Cerberus I-Phlegra complex to the east (preceding) of it and the Hybaleus Extension (3/10) to the west (following). Panchaia and Utopia appear dark (3/10) towards the northern limb. A small, elliptical, and dark (3/10) Nodus Alcyonius was noted towards the north-following (Nf) limb. Tritonis Sinus and Mare Cimmerium appear dark (3/10) towards the southern limb preceding the CM. A dark (3/10) projection was noted extending from the northern border of Mare Cimmerium towards the south-preceding (Sp) limb over the Aeolis-Zephyria region (Laestrygonum Sinus?). Syrtis Minor and Mare Tyrrhenum were  visibly dark (3/10) following the CM connecting the a dark (3/10) Syrtis Major (eastern or preceding half) towards the following limb. Hesperia was noted as a bright to very bright (7-8/10) strip between Mare Cimmerium and Mare Tyrrhenum. Extremely bright (9/10) morning limb haze (MLH), southern limb haze (SLH), and evening limb haze (ELH) were noted as well.

 

06:30 UT (right image):    An observation of Mars made using Wratten 38A (blue) and 64 (blue-green) filters at 06:30 UT (CM=274.8). Extremely bright morning limb haze (MLH), southern limb haze (SLH), and evening limb haze (ELH) was noted. Hellas was visibly very bright to extremely bright (8-9/10) towards the southern limb appearing to connect to the SLH. Mare Tyrrhenum, Iapygia Viridis, and Syrtis Major were noted with a violet (or blue W38A)

clearing of 2/3.

 

@ . . . . . . . . .Masami-san, Thank you for the notice if the dust cloud detected by Mr. Kumamori and other experienced observers. We are thankful that you have many capable observers and imagers that can follow this dust storm as the geometry of the planet does not allow us to view this region for approximately 2-3 weeks. This storm will be followed anxiously around the world and your updates will provide voluble information. The best of luck to you, Dr. Minami, Nishita, Tsunemachi, and the rest of the OAA Mars Section. May you all have clear and steady skies.

                         (29 June 2001 email)

 Carlos E HERNANDEZ (Miami FL USA)

 mars@ilcs.net

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