λ=007°Ls,  ( ω=287°W,   φ=01°N ),   δ=15.8",   ι=02°

Instrument: 9" (23cm) F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248×, 344×
S 6-7/10 (Antoniadi (II/V)
Transparency 4/10

Notes:
The central meridian (CM) was 287.0 degrees West which placed the wedge-shaped albedo feature Syrtis Major on it. When the seeing steadied I was able to note mottling within Syrtis Major. The South Polar Region (SPR) was obscured by a very bright to extremely bright (8-9/10) haze. Mare Tyrrhenum (5-6/10), Syrtis Minor (4/10), Ausonia (7/10), and Mare Hadriacum (4/10) were visible towards the south-preceding limb. Hellas appeared as a bright to very bright (7-8/10) oval preceding the CM. Iapygia Viridis appears dark to dusky (3-4/10) south of Syrtis Major. Hellespontus (3-4/10) was visible as a diagonal wedge east (following) Hellas. The preceding (western) half of Sinus Sabaeus (3-5/10) appears towards the following limb. Pandorae Fretum appears as a dusky (4/10) projection between Sinus Sabaeus and Hellespontus. Noachis (7/10) was the bright region south of Pandorae Fretum and Deucalionis Regio the bright (7/10) region north of it (and south of Sinus Sabaeus). The bright (7/10) deserts preceding Syrtis Major (on the CM) were Aetheria, Libya, Isidis Regio, and Neith Regio. Aeria and Arabia are the bright (7/10) deserts following Syrtis Major. Utopia, Boreosyrtis, Protonilus, Ismenius Lacus, and Deuteronilus were the dull to dark (3-5/10) albedo features towards the northern limb (from preceding to following limb). The North Polar Cap (NPC, 9-10/10) appears over the northern limb with the presence of very bright (8/0) haze.

Observer:   Carlos E HERNANDEZ,   Miami   FL