Frank J MELILLO #215

Letters to the Editor

from Frank J MELILLO in CMO #215

@ . . . . In reference to my observations on 3-27-99, I just want to inform you that I did a short movie of Mars rotating in violet light. Do you notice that the clouds along the morning terminator vary in brightness? It was flickering in and out while the clouds over the evening limb was stabilized. The morning clouds perhaps burned-off and at the same time reforming, but it is not moving with the rotation. In addition to that, you can see the orographic clouds developed over Olympus Mons and move with the rotation..
According to what Mr. Haas wrote, I am certainly agree with his comments that the clouds do vary in brightness in a short period of time. But, only the morning terminator? This makes more interesting and when time permits, I will take another series of time-lapping images in violet light.

(1 Apr 1999 email)

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