Solar & Planetary LtE Now in August 2025

 Not every email is necessarily cited in the PDF’s CMO LtE

To see the preceding ones, click

LtE in July 2025

CMO/ISMO Index Page

The latest is at the top 


¤••••• Subject: Mars 29 August  16.51UT R610LP RGB

Received: 30 August 2025, 21:39 JST

 

Hi all,

Image set from yesterday afternoon looking down on the Elysium region.

The B data was again poor.

Best regards, Clyde

 

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/250829/CFs29Aug25.png

 

 

Clyde FOSTER (Khomas, NAMIBIA)

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Venus 2025-08-28 UT

Received: 29 August 2025, 17:27 JST

 

Venus UV image on 28 August 2025.

 


 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Mars 28 August  16.59UT R610LP RGB

Received: 29 August 2025, 16:31 JST

 

Hi all,

Another late season attempt at Mars after a recent cold front has moved through.

As can be seen, the G and B were a challenge.

Elysium is just to the left of centre, with Mare Cimmerium at upper left. Syrtis Major is on the terminator at right.

I think it is the Nodus Alcyonius/Cassius/Utopia region that is so prominent at lower right.

Best regards, Clyde

 

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/250828/CFs28Aug25.png

 

 

Clyde FOSTER (Khomas, NAMIBIA)

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Mars 19-25 August

Received: 26 August 2025, 21:28 JST

 

Hi all,

A rather informal submission.

Over the last week I have had a number of attempts at Mars, but have been unable to put together either a full data set, or the B/G were too poor to generate an acceptable RGB.

But having put the initial effort in, I thought I should at least share what I could.

I appreciate that the format may not be acceptable for some of the databases, but circulate for interest nonetheless.

Mars was 4.3-4.2” during this period.

 


Best regards, Clyde

 

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/250819/CFs19Aug25.png

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/250820/CFs20Aug25.png

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/250821/CFs21Aug25.png

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/250825/CFs25Aug25.png

 

 

Clyde FOSTER (Khomas, NAMIBIA)

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Saturn images, August 23 2025,

 excellent seeing with the AWO South tropical spot, and the decagon shape of the S Trop region !

Received: 24 August 2025, 22:16 JST

 

Hi guys,
Some excellent seeing on the 23. The AWO S Trop spot is visible, as well as a chain of dark spot.

 


 


 


 



French observer Jean-Paul Oger has made a polar map of the southern hemisphere and his work shows that the ondulating South tropical region has a decagon regular shape ! See here

http://www.astrosurf.com/topic/178238-pole-sud-complet-de-saturn-1619-et-22-août-un-décagone-se-dessine/


 

Best wishes

Christophe PELLIER (Nantes, FRANCE)

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Saturn 2025-08-23 UT

Received: 24 August 2025, 19:54 JST

 

Saturn images on 23 August 2025.

 


 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Mars: August 22, 2025

Received: 23 August 2025, 12:19 JST

 

Hi,

 I have attached my Mars image August 22, 2025 at 23:09 UT

 

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/250822/FMl22Aug25.png

 

 Many Thanks.

 

Frank J MELILLO (Holtsville, NY)

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Venus 2025-08-21 UT

Received: 22 August 2025, 10:12 JST

 

Venus images on 21 August 2025.

 

 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Mars August 20

Received: 21 August 2025, 09:05 JST

 

Hello.
I am sending over this evenings Mars images in below average seeing.

But there is a dramatic limb brighting visible on the image in red light and also was very obvious on the monitor dispite the seeing conditions.

Also on the morning limb is some morning mist in the Tharsis area.

 

.https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/250820/TWl20Aug25.png

.

Thank You

 

Tim WILSON (Jefferson City, MO)

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Venus 2025-08-19 UT

Received: 20 August 2025, 13:47 JST

 

Venus images on 19 August 2025.

 


45p Newtonian, Uranus-C

 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Jupiter 2025-08-19 UT

Received: 20 August 2025, 13:46 JST

 

Jupiter images on 19 August 2025.

 


 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Venus 2025-08-18 UT

Received: 19 August 2025, 11:54 JST

 

Venus images on 18 August 2025.

 


 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Jupiter 2025-08-18 UT

Received: 19 August 2025, 11:51 JST

 

Jupiter images on 18 August 2025.

 

45p Newtonian, Uranus-C

 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Saturn 2025-08-16 UT

Received: 17 August 2025, 12:50 JST

 

Saturn images on 16 August 2025.

 


45p Newtonian, Uranus-C

 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Mars 15 August 1708UT     R610LP   RGB

Received: 16 August 2025, 18:29 JST

 

Hi all,

I tried a twilight session yesterday afternoon/evening.

Sinus Meridiani is above centre with Mare Acidalium to the lower right and Mare Erythraeum at upper right.

Sinus Sabeus extends to the left of Sinus Meridiani.

The bright Arabia/Moab/Eden regions extend across the lower left quadrant.

The B data was not particularly good, so it is difficult to say whether the bright feature above the NPC is dust or cloud.

There appears to be morning cloud along the terminator.

I was pleasantly surprised with the conditions as there was severe Jetstream

 

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/250815/CFs15Aug25.png

 

Best regards, Clyde

 

Clyde FOSTER (Khomas, NAMIBIA)

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Mars 12 August 1724UT     R610LP   RGB

Received: 13 August 2025, 17:58 JST

 

Hi all,

Mars is becoming more challenging, and I have been prevented from submitting images for a number of evenings by very poor B data (there was strong Jetstream) Last night was a bit better.

Niliacus Lacus and Mare Acidalium are below centre, with Margaritifer Sinus extending down towards Oxia to the left of centre. Sinus Meridiani can be seen on the left limb. Mare Erythraeum extends across the upper portion of the planet.

Cloud remains over Tharsis.

 

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/250812/CFs12Aug25.png

 

Best regards, Clyde

 

Clyde FOSTER (Khomas, NAMIBIA)

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Venus 2025-08-12 UT

Received: 13 August 2025, 15:40 JST

 

Venus images on 12 August 2025.

 


 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Jupiter 2025-08-12 UT

Received: 13 August 2025, 15:39 JST

 

Jupiter image on 12 August 2025.

 


 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Jupiter 2025-08-11 UT

Received: 12 August 2025, 13:41 JST

 

Jupiter image on 11 August 2025.

 


 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Venus 2025-08-11 UT

Received: 12 August 2025, 13:43 JST

 

Venus images on 11 August 2025.

 


 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Mars 2025-08-11 UT

Received: 11 August 2025, 20:57 JST

 

Mars image on 11 August 2025.

 

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/250811/Ak11Aug25.png

 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Venus 2025-08-10 UT

Received: 11 August 2025, 20:55 JST

 

Venus images on 10 August 2025.

 


 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Saturn 2025-08-10 UT

Received: 11 August 2025, 20:54 JST

 

Saturn images on 10 August 2025.

 


 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Jupiter 2025-08-10 UT

Received: 11 August 2025, 15:02 JST

 

Jupiter images on 10 August 2025.

 


 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Mars: August, 9, 2025

Received: 11 August 2025, 09:39 JST

 

Hi,

  I have attached my images of Mars August 9, 2025 at 23:20 IT and 23:42 UT.

 

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/250809/FMl09Aug25.png

 

  Thanks.

 

Frank J MELILLO (Holtsville, NY)

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Venus 2025-0809 UT

Received: 10 August 2025, 09:35 JST

 

Venus images on 9 August 2025.

 



45cm Newtonian

 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Saturn images 7 august 2025

Received: 9 August 2025, 21:12 JST

 

Hello !

Firsts Saturn images of the season - and the first in almost 2 years.

The planet is largely olive yellow currently, the blue has completely disappeared, although two pink belts can be glimpsed on the northern hemisphere.

Thethys is in transit in all images.

Christophe

 


 


 


 

Christophe PELLIER (Nantes, FRANCE)

 Planetary astronomy and imaging

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Saturn 2025-08-08 UT

Received: 9 August 2025, 13:59 JST

 

Saturn images on 8 August 2025.

 


 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Re: Mars 6 August 1722UT     R610LP   RGB

Received: 8 August 2025, 15:04 JST

 

About Clyde's August 6th image. . . .

 

This is a demonstration of morning clouds. They are extensive over the right half of the visible side of the planet, obscuring Mare Sirenum and the Amazonis / Arcadia area, to a variable degree of density. The dark areas are the planet's surface.

 

In the blue clearing study that I published in JALPO during the last year, this image would have been excluded from the study because of the obvious clouds. Having said that, it appears likely to me that the blue clearing phenomenon is due to subtle clouds, which explains why all of Shanos's blue images with contrast ranges outside the normal distribution of contrasts were in northern spring (i.e., the cloudiest season on Mars). However, Clyde's August 6th image is in the middle third of northern summer, not spring (Ls 121.2). But the clouds are obvious.

 

To be clear, the blue clearing study of 63 of Greg Shanos's images involved rejection of all the images in which clouds were suspected by me. The finding of 6 outliers showing high contrast in blue suggests that I was unable to find clouds (in order to exclude those images from the study) in those with very subtle clouds that had measurable brightness that was not evident by simply inspecting the images.

 

I don't think that an extraordinary explanation such as the loss of atmosphere from Mars during the last year is reasonable.

 

-- Roger

 

Roger Venable (ALPO, USA)

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Re: Mars 6 August 1722UT     R610LP   RGB

Received: 8 August 2025, 14:04 JST

 

Hi Clyde,

 

There is one image, the blue image that blows me away with albaedo features. I think that if one scans through

images in the current apparition, there will be found a number of full and partial "blue clearings" The

remarkable thing is that some of them cover the whole face of Mars just like Clyde's does.  Frank Melillo imaged one. 

I think this all has to do with the density of the air mass overhead. The higher the density results in less albaedo features .

The lower the density the more albaedo features. 

 

I think we all know that Mars is gradually losing its atmosphere to the solar wind. Adding to that last year two CMEs 

blasted Mars. Does anyone have any thoughts about all of this? Thanks.

 

Jim Melka (Missouri ,USA)

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Mars 6 August 1722UT     R610LP   RGB

Received: 7 August 2025, 19:28 JST

 

Hi all,

Having just returned from a trip to South Africa, I had a look at Mars last night. There was strong wind at ground level as well as strong Jetstream overhead, yet the conditions appeared reasonable.

 

The view is centred on Tharsis, with the Valles Marineris can just be seen to the upper left of centre, with Solis Lacus near the upper left limb. Mare Acidalium and Nilokeras are  toward the lower left.

 

Cloud is visible in the proximity of the Tharsis Montes, whilst there may also be cloud near the NPC.

 

https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2024/250806/CFs06Aug25.png

 

Best regards, Clyde

 

Clyde FOSTER (Khomas, NAMIBIA)

 

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Saturn, 5th August IR685

Received: 6 August 2025, 05:34 JST

 

Hi all, here's an image of Saturn from this morning captured in a short period of steady seeing with minimal jetstream interference.

13 images were combined in Winjupos spanning 30 minutes. Some faint structure can be seen across the disk, with Dione showing above the ring on the left.



Best regards
Anthony

Link:
http://www.acquerra.au/astro/gallery/saturn/index.live?dir=/saturn&image=20250805-172842

 

Anthony WESLEY (QLD, AUSTRALIA)

awesley@acquerra.au

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Saturn 2025-08-04 UT

Received: 5 August 2025, 05:53 JST

 

Saturn images on 4 August UT.

 


Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Saturn, 4th August IR685

Received: 5 August 2025, 05:53 JST

 

Hi all, here's an image of Saturn from this morning in reasonable conditions using a 685nm longpass filter.

Enceladus is visible just above the ring on the right and some faint cloud features can be seen on the disk in the southern hemisphere.



Link:
http://www.acquerra.au/astro/gallery/saturn/index.live?dir=/saturn&image=20250804-182906

cheers, Anthony

 

Anthony WESLEY (QLD, AUSTRALIA)

awesley@acquerra.au

 


Back to the CMO/ISMO Façade / CMO Home Page