From Carlos E HERNANDEZ
@. . . . . .
Masami-san,
The current Mars
apparition is becoming very exciting as the Red Planet increases in apparent
size. We shall soon be witnessing detail not witnessed upon Mars for some time.
I have attached my latest Mars observation for your records. I hope that it
proves useful to your studies. The best of luck to you, Dr. Minami, your fellow
recorders and the rest of the OAA Mars Section.
Date (U.T.): April 8,
2001
Time (U.T.): 08:20 (left image), 09:10
(right image)
CM: 188.1 (left image), 195.4 (right
image)
Diameter (arc-seconds):
11.2
Telescope: 8-inch (20-cm) f/7.5
Newtonian
Magnification: 305x,
356x
Filters: Wratten 23A, 38A, 47, 64,
80A
Seeing (1-10): 4-6, Antoniadi (I-V):
III
Transparency (1-6): 4
(hazy)
Violet (W47, or Blue (W38A)) Clearing
(0-3): 2
08:20 U.T. (left
image): A drawing of
Mars made using a Wratten 23A filter. The North Polar Cap (NPC) is very small,
but brilliant (10/10) over the North Polar limb. It appears surrounded by a dark
to dusky (3-4/10) collar composed of Ierne and Lemuria. Scandia and Diacria
appear dark to dusky (3-4/10) just preceding the CM. Panchaia appears dark to
dusky (3-4/10) as well just following the CM. The region enclosed by Lemuria to
the north, Diacria to the east (preceding), Trivium Charontis to the south and
Panchaia to the west (following) appears mottled under moments of steady seeing.
Trivium Charontis appears dark (3/10) with a dark to dusky (4/10) Cerberus
projecting from it to the southwest (SW, or South-following (SF)). The
Amazonis-Arcadia region appears dusky to dull (4-5/10). Elysium appears very
bright (8/10). Mare Sirenum towards the South-preceding (Sp) limb appears dark
(3/10). Mare Cimmerium appears dark (3/10) and homogenous from the CM to the Sf
limb. A dark to very dark condensation was visible between the two large
southern marias over Atlantis (possibly a contrast effect from an extremely
brilliant South Polar Haze (SPH). Memnonia, Zephyria, and Aeolis appear bright
(7/10).
09:10 U.T. (right
image): A drawing of Mars made
using Wratten 38A, 47, 64, and 80A filters. The North Polar Cap (NPC) region
appears brilliant (10/10). An extremely bright (9/10) cloud (probable
orographic, or mountain-associated) appears over the northern half of Elysium.
This cloud is similar to the one imaged by Donald C. Parker on April 5 and 6,
2001. An extremely bright (9/10) evening limb haze (ELH) is visible over the
preceding limb. An Extremely bright (9/10) South Polar Haze (SPH) is noted over
the southern limb. An extremely bright (9/10) morning limb haze (MLH) is visible
over the following limb. Mare Sirenum, Mare Cimmerium, Trivium Charontis and the
Phlegra-Hades region were moderately visible using Written 38A and 47 filters (a
Violet (or Blue) clearing of 2/3).
Regards,
(9 April 2001
email)
Carlos E HERNANDEZ (Miami FL USA)