Coming Mars 2001 (04)

FORTHCOMING 2001 MARS
(4)


Disks with grids. ( I )

A NISHITA

   

  We here show how the Martian surface looks like as the apparent diameter increases up until 1 June 2001. The variations of the central latitude and the phase are explicitly depicted. The letter p denotes the direction to which the planet moves in the eye field when the motor-driving is stopped.

 

  Since the Martian season was 070°Ls on 1 November 2000, the north polar cap (npc) will be visible at the beginning of the year as is depicted here, but the figure for 1 April shows it will be difficult to see the npc around April 2001 though the minimal npc must be present (since 139°Ls on 1 April 2001).

  On the other hand on 1 June (171°Ls), the south polar hood will be at a final stage , but here its depth is not shown. At the beginning of June, the southern and northern hemispheres are equally seen. The thick latitude-line shows the equator.

  The phase will be minimal (the phase angle maximal) at the beginning of March 2001. Every figure carries the noon line (N-line), and as is shown, the morning area just occupies only a fourth of the illuminated surface at that time.

  The intersection point of the N-line and the other dotted line (M-line) is the Sub-Solar point. On 16 December 2000 (at 090°Ls) it was down at latitude 25.48°N, and then it gradually moves to the direction of the equator until 17 June.

  Figures in the latter part of the apparition (including the day when the planet will be closest the Earth) shall be shown in a coming issue.