From
Carlos E HERNANDEZ
® . . . . . .From: "Carlos Hernandez"
<mars@ilcs.net>
To: "Masami Murakami" <
Sent:
Subject: Mars Observation (June 26, 2003)
Dear Mr. Murakami,
I made an observation of Mars on June 26, 2003 (07:10 U.T.)
in which much detail was noted over the regions between Mare Tyrrhenum and
Sabaeus Sinus (East-West, or preceding-following) and Neith
Regio-Meroe Insula and Mare
Australe (North-South). During brief moments of
steady seeing the albedo features (e.g. Syrtis Major,
Mare Tyrrhenum, and Iapygia Viridis)
appeared to exhibit a "mottled-appearance" similar to that described
by the great Mars observer Eugene Michael Antoniadi
during the great (perihelic) opposition of 1909. I have not noted so much
detail over Mars in some time. I, along with everyone else, am anxiously
awaiting the planet to grow larger in apparent size. Let us hope that a global
dust storm does not develop and obscure the surface.
Date
(U.T.):
Time
(U.T.):
CM:
289.1
Ls
210.2 (Mid-Northern Autumn)
De
-20.7, Ds -12.2, k 0.89
Diameter:
15.9 arc-seconds
9-inch
(23-cm) F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification:
248x and 323x
Filters:
Wratten 23A, 30, 38, and 64
Seeing
(1-10): 5-6, Antoniadi (I-V): III
Transparency
(1-6): 2-3 (Hazy)
Notes:
The
South Polar Cap (SPC) was prominent (10/10) over the southern limb. A shaded
(4/10), central albedo marking was noted. Rifts were noted along the SPC border with
one located at approximately 320-330 degrees W appearing to connect with the
SPC central albedo feature. Mare Australe
appeared to form a dark (3/10) collar along the northern border of the SPC.
Mare Tyrrhenum appeared dark (3/10) towards the south-following limb. Mare
Hadriacum (eastern border of
south-following limb. The eastern portion of Sabaeus
Sinus appeared dark (3/10) and curvilinear. towards
the following limb. An extremely bright (9/10) morning (following) limb haze
was noted as well.
The best of luck to you and your
fellow Mars observers in your own observations and imaging of Mars.
Please give my best to Dr. Minami.
® . .
. . . .From: "Carlos Hernandez"
<mars@ilcs.net>
To: "Masami Murakami" <
Sent:
Subject: Mars Observation (July 7, 2003)
Dear Mr. Murakami,
I made an observation of Mars this morning showing the dust
storm extending across the martian
southern hemisphere between Phaethontis to Ausonia. The storm was especially prominent between Electris (on the CM) and Ausonia.
Very bright (8/10) streaks were noted towards the northern limb over
Date
(U.T.):
Time
(U.T.):
CM:
164.7
Ls
216.8 (Mid-Northern Autumn)
De
-20.6, Ds -14.5. k (phase): 0.908
Diameter:
17.7 arc-seconds
Instrument:
9-inch (23-cm) F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification:
248x, 344x, and 443x
Filters
(Wratten): 23A, 30, 38, and 64
Seeing
(1-10): 5-6 (moments of 7-8), Antoniadi (I-V): III
Transparency
(1-6): 2-3 (hazy)
Notes:
The
South Polar Cap (SPC) appeared brilliant (10/10) with a dusky to dull (4-5/10)
central core. A dark (3/10) rift (Magnes?) was
visible at approximately 180-190 West longitude. A dark (3/10) collar was noted
to surround the SPC. The regional dust storm was noted to extend between Phaethontis (preceding or evening limb) and Ausonia (on the following or morning limb). It was noted to
be more prominent using Wratten 23A (light red), 30
(magenta), and 64 (blue-green) filters. Thyle I and II appeared to be obscured
as well. The northern half of Mare Cimmerium and Mare Sirenum appeared dark
(3/10). A very bright (8/10) cloud (possibly with dust) was noted over Symplegades Insulae. Zephyria and
The best of luck on your own
observations and imaging of Mars. My best to wishes to Dr. Minami, your fellow recorders, and OAA
Mars observers.
Respectfully,
Carlos
HERNANDEZ (