2003 0818 RBg Note
Martian Drawing on 18 August 2003
at 06:15 GMT by Robert BUNGE.

  λ=243゚Ls,   (ω=149°W,   φ=19°S),   δ=24.7",   ι=11°

Note:
 Seeing 4/5 out of 10. First Mars observation in weeks under completely clear skies. Cool, dry, no dew. Very fast seeing that improved over time.
  Over all impression was that the markings were faint and pretty difficult to see. Required a good amount of effort (specially at 480x) and time to see details. The South Polar Cap seems to be more broken up and smaller. Following side of the SPC almost appears to have greyed out completely. Of more interest (to me at least) were very, very faint and very fleeting hints of detail north of Mare Siremun area... (for want of better seeing!), especially in the area of Olypmus Mons. However, I did not see any bright clouds in the Amazonnis/Tharsis regions, even in blue light. North Polar Hood continues to be bright in both blue and white. No following limb haze this morning.

43cm f /7.8 reflector, 260-480x

Bowie, MD USA.


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