Frank J MELILLO #211

Letters to the Editor

from Frank J MELILLO in CMO #211

@ . . . . Hi! In this file, you will find two images of Mars in red light - Wr. #25 on 12-27-98 UT. The seeing condition was just below average about 4 on the ALPO scale.
It seems that the NPC got a little bigger. I don't know if this is due to the 'Aphelic Chill' or it appears larger at this longitude 313 - 320 degrees. Please, verify if this observation is real.
Syrtis Major is easily seen on the western limb while it is still quite dark around the NPC.

(28 Dec 1998 email)

@ . . . . Here are four images of Mars, two with red light and two with violet light. The seeing was a little above average with 6-7 on the ALPO scale. The surface details are clearly seen with Syrtis Mj along the eastern disk. M. Cimmerium and M. Tyrrhenum are also visible along the southern disk. Hellas looks pretty bright as a whitish haze with a red filter Wr. #25 along the SE disk.
The NPC, so far, looks normal. But, a bit larger than on 12-12-98 UT and slightly smaller on 12-27-98 UT observations. Utopia, just south of NPC, is clearly seen.
I had tried to image with a violet filter along with an infrared blockage. It was kind of difficult due to the smaller disk. However, with a good look, perhaps some whitish haze is seen along the eastern disk.

(2 Jan 1999 email)

Frank J MELILLO (NY, USA) : FrankJ12@aol.com