Solar & Planetary LtE Now in August 2026

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

To see the preceding ones, click

LtE in July 2026

CMO/ISMO Index Page

The latest is at the top 


¤••••• Subject: Mars Images

Received: 27 August 2026, 09:31 JST

 

Hello, 

I am sending my most recent Mars images.

 


 


 

Thank you

 

Tim WILSON (Jefferson City, MO)

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: 25 Aug Mars image attached

Received: 26 August 2026, 06:43 JST

 

Some subtle shadings along the east and south borders of Elysium which is to the right of the CM in this image.

 


 

Gary WALKER (Macon, GA)

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Mars: August 24, 2026

Received: 25 August 2026, 10:55 JST

 

Hi Masami ,

  I am sending you my latest image of Mars August 24, 2026 at 14:09 UT.

 


 

 Many thanks, 

 

Frank J MELILLO (Holtsville, NY)

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: 20 Aug Mars image attached

Received: 22 August 2026, 08:09JST

 


 

Gary WALKER (Macon, GA)

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Mars: August 19, 2026

Received: 20 August 2026, 11:33 JST

 

Hi Masami ,

  Here's my latest image of Mars August 19, 2026 at 13:59 UT.

 


 

  Thanks, 

 

Frank J MELILLO (Holtsville, NY)

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Re: Mars 15 August 0624UT R610LP  RGB

Received: 20 August 2026, 10:40 JST

 

Many thanks for this image, Clyde.

The bright spot near the North Pole is most easily explained as a local dust cloud.

 

Roger

 

Roger VENABLE (Chester, GA )

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Mars 19 August 0523UT R610LP RGB

Received: 20 August 2026, 03:54 JST

 

Hi all,

Decent conditions again this morning.

Mare Sirenum and Mare Cimmerium extend across the upper section of the planet.

Elysium is at lower right with Amazonis central.

The north polar hood is prominent.

 


 

Best regards, Clyde

 

Clyde FOSTER (Khomas, NAMIBIA)

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Mars 15 August 0624UT R610LP  RGB

Received: 20 August 2026, 03:01 JST

 

Hi all,

I found some pretty nice conditions well after sunrise on the 15th August.

Mare Cimmerium, Hesperia and Mare Tyrrhenum extend across the upper section of the planet.

No obvious indication of the Sinus Gomer extensions. Elysium is at lower left with Syrtis Major on the right limb.

An obvious offset bright feature at lower right.

 


 

Best regards, Clyde

 

Clyde FOSTER (Khomas, NAMIBIA)

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Mars Recent Images

Received: 19 August 2026, 08:40 JST

 

Hello Everyone,

Sending my most recent images of Mars..

 


 


 

Tim WILSON (Jefferson City, MO)

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: 18 Aug Mars image attached

Received: 19 August 2026, 03:24JST

 

Imaged just before sunrise through high clouds.

 


 

Gary WALKER (Macon, GA)

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Saturn image & movie - August 14th

Received: 18 August 2026, 03:21 JST

 

Hi all,

Some excellent seeing again on the 14th. A transit of Tethys was seen.

Multiple spokes were also captured on both ansae. A superb view visually was enjoyed as twilight was underway.

 


 

https://www.damianpeach.com/sat26/s2026-08-14-0152_5-RGBdp.jpg

 

https://www.damianpeach.com/sat26/spokes_2026_08_14dp.mp4

 

Best wishes

 

Damian PEACH (Selsey, WS, the UK)

Web: http://www.damianpeach.com/

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Mars: August 16, 2026

Received: 18 August 2026, 00:03 JST

 

Hi Masami ,

   I have attached my Mars image August 16, 2026 at 14:15 UT.

 


 

  Thanks, 

 

Frank J MELILLO (Holtsville, NY)

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Mars 2026-08-16 UT

Received: 17 August 2026, 22:38 JST

 

Mars images on 16 August 2026.

 


 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Venus 2026-08-15 UT

Received: 16 August 2026, 11:07 JST

 

Venus images on 15 August 2026

 


 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Saturn images, 13th August 2026

Received: 15 August 2026, 23:07 JST

 

Hi all,

Here are my first Saturn images of the season, with some excellent seeing.

A few spots are visible, but almost no spokes.

 


 

Christophe

 

Christophe PELLIER (Nantes, FRANCE)

Planetary astronomy and imaging

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Mars image - August 11th

Received: 15 August 2026, 11:02 JST

 

Hi all,

Here is Mars on the 11th. Elysium hemisphere with Syrtis Major at left. Prominent NPH.

 


 

https://www.damianpeach.com/mars2026/m2026_08_11rgb.jpg

 

Best wishes

 

Damian PEACH (Selsey, WS, the UK)

Web: http://www.damianpeach.com/

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Saturn image & movie - August 11th

Received: 15 August 2026, 09:50 JST

 

Hi all,

Some excellent seeing on the 11th. Some spots on the disk and more spokes were observed.

A transit of Enceladus is also seen.

 


 

https://www.damianpeach.com/sat26/s2026-08-11-0317_1-RGBdp.jpg

 

https://www.damianpeach.com/sat26/spokes_2026_08_11dp.mp4

 

Best wishes,


Damian PEACH (Selsey, WS, the UK)

Web: http://www.damianpeach.com/

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: 13 Aug Mars image attached

Received: 15 August 2026, 03:04 JST

 

Hello,

Here is a first effort on Mars for this apparition. I see no definite dust activity in the area covered.

 


 

Gary WALKER (Macon, GA)

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Mars 2026-08-12 UT

Received: 15 August 2026, 00:02 JST

 

Mars images on 12 August 2026.

 


 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Saturn 2026-08-10 UT

Received: 11 August 2026, 15:39 JST

 

Saturn images on 10 August 2026.

 


 


 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Saturn images & movies

Received: 11 August 2026, 07:44 JST

 

Hi all,

 

Here are some Saturn images and movies from recent months.

 

Three different systems were used.

 C14 with Saturn M-QR,  Skywatcher 16" F4.4 Newt  and  24" F4.5 Newt on a session with Tom.

 

July 17th: https://www.damianpeach.com/sat26/s2026-07-17-0310_5-RGBdp.jpg

 

July 21st: https://www.damianpeach.com/sat26/s2026-07-21-0238_5-RGBdp.jpg

 

July 22nd: https://www.damianpeach.com/sat26/s2026-07-22-0302_1-RGBdp.jpg

 

July 24th (with spokes) https://www.damianpeach.com/sat26/s2026-07-24-0341_2-RGBdp.jpg

 

July 25th (with moons/spokes) https://www.damianpeach.com/sat26/s2026-07-25-0319_8-RGBdp.jpg

 


 

July 25th spokes animation: https://www.damianpeach.com/sat26/2026-07-25spoke_90min_dpcrop.gif

 

July 29th RGB with Tom Williamshttps://www.damianpeach.com/sat26/s2026-07-29-0211_8-RGBtwdp.jpg

 

July 29th IR-RGB with Tom Williams: https://www.damianpeach.com/sat26/s2026-07-29-0256_7-RGBtwdp.jpg

 

Aug 3rd: https://www.damianpeach.com/sat26/s2026-08-03-0324_7-RGBdp.jpg

 

Aug 4th with spokes: https://www.damianpeach.com/sat26/s2026-08-04-0204_8-RGBdp.jpg

 

Aug 6th: https://www.damianpeach.com/sat26/s2026-08-06-0255_5-RGBdp.jpg

 

Aug 7th with spokes: https://www.damianpeach.com/sat26/s2026-08-07-0327_5-RGBdp.jpg

 

Aug 7th spoke movie: https://www.damianpeach.com/sat26/spokes_aug7th_full_dp.mp4

 

Aug 8th with many spokes!: https://www.damianpeach.com/sat26/s2026-08-08-0259_8-RGBdp.jpg

 

Aug 8th spoke movie: https://www.damianpeach.com/sat26/spokes_2026_08_08dp.mp4

 

Best wishes,

 

Damian PEACH (Selsey, WS, the UK)

Web: http://www.damianpeach.com/

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Venus 2026-08-10 UT

Received: 10 August 2026, 23:30 JST

 

Venus images on 10 August 2026.

 


 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Mars: August 8, 2026

Received: 10 August 2026, 05:58 JST

 

Hi Masami, 

 More images of Mars on August 8, 2026 between 12:35 UT and 13:54 UT to follow up the possible dust activity.

Yes, there is a change in Chryse area and moving northward between August 7th and August 8th images which they are posted here.

I am hoping someone can follow this event.

One problem is that Chryse area is visible only in daylight for observers in the USA and it's uncertain if anyone would attempt to image Mars under such conditions!

 


 

  Best, 

 

Frank J MELILLO (Holtsville, NY)

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Mars - July 26th

Received: 10 August 2026, 01:48 JST

 

Hi to All!,

Here are my latest sessions taken.

 


 

Efrain

 

Efrain MORALES RIVERA (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico)

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Mars: August 7, 2026

Received: 8 August 2026, 10:32 JST

 

Hi Masami, 

   I observed and imaged Mars (this morning) on August 7, 2026 at 12:45 UT and 12:49 UT. 

 

 Even though Mars is only 4.8" in disk diameter.  it seems to show bright spots in the Chryse area and dark blotches in Margaritifer Sinus and Aurorae Sinus. I took all three images within four minutes. They all confirm one another, and they show the same features. The 12:47 UT image shows the most details.

    

   The Chryse area can look bright at times and it can be tricky. But I’m seeing it as white blotches and dark blotches  above it (toward south). Hopefully, there will be other observations to confirm this. I’ll try again tomorrow morning if the weather cooperates.

 


 

   Best, 

 

Frank J MELILLO (Holtsville, NY)

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Mars 7 August 0716UT R610LP

Received: 7 August 2026, 17:40 JST

 

Hi all,

It was nice to have my first morning session in the observatory after returning from my recent trip.

The view looks down directly on Syrtis Major and Hellas.

Although I noted the increase in size since early July, the planet remains below 5”.

 


 

Best regards, Clyde

 

Clyde FOSTER (Khomas, NAMIBIA)

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Saturn 2026-08-04UT

Received: 5 August 2026, 14:24 JST

 

Saturn images on 4 August 2026.

 


 


 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Venus 2026-08-04UT

Received: 4 August 2026, 22:40 JST

 

Venus images on 4 August 2026.

 


 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Saturn, 3rd August IR850

Received: 4 August 2026, 04:28 JST

 

Hi all, here's an image of Saturn from a couple of hours ago taken in poor seeing using an 850nm longpass filter.

16 images were measured and derotated in Winjupos in an attempt to find any detail however the only interesting thing visible is some dark spoke activity on the ring at left as well as Tethys and Dione just below the rings on the left.



Best regards
Anthony

 Link:

 
https://www.acquerra.au/astro/gallery/saturn/index.live?dir=/saturn&image=20260803-181700

 

Anthony Wesley  (QLD, AUSTRALIA)

awesley@acquerra.au

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Venus 2026-08-03UT

Received: 3 August 2026, 21:48 JST

 

Venus images on 3 August 2026.

 


 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Saturn 2026-08-02UT

Received: 3 August 2026, 21:10 JST

 

Saturn images on 2 August 2026.

 


 


 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Venus 2026-08-02UT

Received: 3 August 2026, 20:46 JST

 

Venus images on 2 August 2026.

 


 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Mars 2026-08-02UT

Received: 3 August 2026, 12:38 JST

 

Mars images on 2 August 2026.

 


 

Best regards,

 

Tomio AKUTSU (Cebu, PHLIPPINES)

 Akutsu Cebu Observarory

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Saturn, 2nd August IR685

Received: 3 August 2026, 09:44 JST

 

Hi all, here's an image and animation of Saturn data from this morning, taken using a 685nm longpass filter over the course of about 2 hours in variable seeing.

The image is a composite of 11 captures spanning 40 minutes and shows some spoke activity on the left side of the ring as well as Tethys and shadow in transit.

The animation really shows how variable the seeing conditions were, some frames are very good and other are very bad.

 




Link:
https://www.acquerra.au/astro/gallery/saturn/index.live?dir=/saturn&image=20260802-175948

 

Best regards
Anthony

 

Anthony Wesley  (QLD, AUSTRALIA)

awesley@acquerra.au

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Saturn, 1st August IR685

Received: 2 August 2026, 14:28 JST

 

Hi all, here's an image of Saturn from this morning in a period of steady seeing using a 685nm longpass filter. 14 images spanning 39 minutes were measured and combined using Winjupos.

Some faint bright spots are visible on the disk just south of the equatorial region, and some very faint dark spots can be seen on the left side of the rings. Mimas can be seen as a tiny point just below the ring at left.



Link:
https://www.acquerra.au/astro/gallery/saturn/index.live?dir=/saturn&image=20260801-175248

 

Anthony Wesley  (QLD, AUSTRALIA)

awesley@acquerra.au

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Saturn, 31st July IR685

Received: 1 August 2026, 07:44 JST

 

Hi all, here's an image of Saturn from this morning using a 685nm longpass filter in steady conditions but with moderate jetstream
blurring that softens much of the fine detail. 17 images spanning 31 minutes were measured and combined in Winjupos.

The storm remnant from 2011 is faintly visible as a small dark spot at top centre on the disk.
Rhea is the moon above Saturn, with Tethys to the left above the rings and Dione at lower right.

Some very faint hints of spoke activity is present on the left side of the rings.

 




Link:
https://www.acquerra.au/astro/gallery/saturn/index.live?dir=/saturn&image=20260731-182200

Best regards,
Anthony

 

Anthony Wesley  (QLD, AUSTRALIA)

awesley@acquerra.au

 

 

 

¤••••• Subject: Mars: July 31, 2026

Received: 1 August 2026, 03:15 JST

 

Hi Masami,

    Here's a quick shot of Mars on July 31, 2026 at 13:58 UT. It was taken in daylight near the near meridian at 70 degrees above the horizon. The seeing was pretty good.

 

At CM 121 degrees longitude, Mare Sirerum is seen on the right side in the southern hemisphere and Solis Lacus is visible as a round spot near the eastern limb at 10 o'clock position.

So far during the dust storm season, the atmospheric is free of haze.

 


 

  Best, 

 

Frank J MELILLO (Holtsville, NY)

 


 CMO Home Page