From
Carlos E HERNANDEZ
® . . . . . . . To: "Masami Murakami" <
Sent:
Subject:
Mars Observation (July 11, 2003)
I have made an observation of Mars this morning under
average to good seeing conditions (5-8/10). The dust storm at this time was
localized over Electris-Eridania with a thin segment
visible along the southern border of Mare Sirenum. I welcome any comments on my
observation.
Date (U.T.):
Time (U.T.):
CM: 138.1
Ls 219.3 (Northern Mid-Autumn)
De -20.5. Ds -15.4, k 0.92
Diameter: 18.4 arc-seconds
9-inch (23-cm) F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248x,
282x, and 362x
Filters (Wratten):
23A, 30, 38, and 64
Seeing (1-10): 5-6 (moments of 7-8), Antoniadi (I-V): III (moments of II)
Transparency (1-6): 2-3 (Hazy)
Notes:
The
South Polar Cap (SPC) appeared brilliant (10/10) with a thin, dark (3/10) core
and a rift noted over it's following half. The SPC appeared to be surrounded by
a dark (3/10) collar (Mare Australe). Mare Sirenum
appeared prominent (3/10) over the CM with thin, dark (3/10) projections noted
to extend from it's northern border connecting to a
dusky (4/10), thin albedo feature parallel to it. A
thin, very bright (8/10) segment of the dust storm was visible along the
southern border of Mare Sirenum. Phaethontis-Electris
appeared dull to shaded (5-6/10). Aonius Sinus-Phasis
appeared as a thin, dusky (4/10) wedge between the eastern (preceding) end of
Mare Sirenum and a dusky (4/10) Solis Lacus. Lunae
Lacus appeared as a dusky (4/10) condensation along the border of an extremely
bright (9/10) evening (preceding) limb haze. The dust storm was visible over
the south-following limb over Electris-Eridania (at
this time enhanced by haze as it has been reported to have weakened
significantly). The eastern (preceding) portion of Mare Cimmerium was visible
along the following limb adjacent to an extremely bright (9/10) morning
(following) limb haze. Tharsis, Memnonia, Amazonis, and
The best of luck to you, Dr.
Minami, your fellow recorders and the OAA Mars Section.
Respectfully,
® . .
. . . . . .Sent:
Subject:
Mars Observations (July 16, 2003)
I made a series of Mars observations on this date using
different instruments. The observations were made at a friend's observatory
(Michael Palermiti, a noted optical designer and
imager in Jupiter, Florida) using his 5.1" F/8 Off-Axis Parabolic reflector (a unique design which produces
images equivalent to a high quality Apo refractor)
and Intes Micro Alter M703 7" F/10 Maksutov-Cassegrain
(first-rate optics) as well as my own custom 9" F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain (built for me
by Michael Palermiti). The seeing started as average
(5-6/10) then later improved to good (7-8/10), fortunately while using the
9" F/13.5 Maksuov-Cassegrain.
The following are my notes on the observations.
Left
image:
Date (U.T.):
Time (U.T.):
CM: 025.7
Ls 222.4, De -20.4, Ds -16.4, k 0.925,
19.34"
Instrument: 5.1" F/8 Off-Axis
Parabolic Reflector Magnification: 130x
Filter: None
Seeing (1-10): 5-6, Antoniadi
(I-V): III
Transparency (1-6): 3 (Intermittent
clouds)
Notes:
The
South Polar Cap (SPC) appeared brilliant (10/10), but no detail visible within.
Mare Australe appeared as a dark (3/10) collar
surrounding the SPC. Margaritifer Sinus appeared dark (3/10) towards the
preceding (evening) limb adjacent to an extremely bright (9/10) evening limb
haze (ELH). Mare Erythraeum appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) with a dull to
shaded (5-6/10) core (Protei Regio/Pyrrhae Regio?). Aurorae Sinus appeared dark (3/10)
following the CM whereas a dusky (4/10) projection was noted along the northern
border of Mare Erythraeum preceding it. Agathodaemon
(Coprates) appeared as a thin, dark (3/10) projection
from the NW corner of Mare Erythraeum. Bosporos Gemmatus appeared dark (3/10) with a thin, dusky (4/10)
Nectar noted to project from it's following border
connected a dark (3/10) Solis Lacus. Chryse-Xanthe
appeared bright (7/10) without any detail visible within. Niliacus
Lacus appears as a dark (3/10) wedge adjacent to an extremely bright (9/10)
northern limb haze (NLH) connected a dusky (4/10) Nilokeras. An extremely
bright (9/10) morning (following) limb haze is noted as well.
Center
Image:
Date (U.T.):
Time (U.T.):
CM: 033.1
Ls 222.4, De -20.4, Ds -16.4, k 0.925,
19.34"
Instrument: Intes
Micro Alter M703 7" F/10 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 162x
Filter: None
Seeing (1-10): 5-6, Antoniadi
(I-V): III
Transparency (1-6): 3 (Intermittent
clouds)
Notes:
The
notes from my first observation apply to this one as well. Additional features
observed are dusky (4/10) projections extending from the southern border of
Solis Lacus and an extra dusky (4/10) projection noted along the northern
border of Mare Erythraeum.
Right
Image:
Date (U.T.):
Time (U.T.):
CM: 142.7
Ls 222.4, De -20.4, Ds -16.4, k 0.925,
19.34"
Instrument: 9" F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248x
and 344x
Filter: None
Seeing (1-10): 7-8, Antoniadi
(I-V): II
Transparency (1-6): 4 (Intermittent
clouds)
Notes:
The
South Polar Cap (SPC) appears brilliant (10/10) with a thin, dark (3/10) rift
noted along it's northern border preceding the CM
which connects to a dark to dusky (3-4/10) core. Mare Chronium
appears as a dark (3/10) collar surrounding the SPC. Mare Sirenum is visible on
the CM as a dark (3/10) wedge with thin dull (5/10) projections noted along it's northern border connecting a dull (5/10) thin albedo feature parallel to it. Phaethontis-Electris
appears dusky to bright (4-7/10). Aonius Sinus-Phasis
appears dusky to dull (4-5/10) and partially obscured by an extremely bright
(9/10) evening (preceding) limb haze (ELH). Mare Cimmerium (eastern portion)
appears dark (3/10) adjacent to an extremely bright (9/10) morning (following)
limb haze (MLH).Tharsis, Memnonia, Amazonis, and
The best of luck in your own
observations and imaging of Mars.
Regards,
Carlos
HERNANDEZ (