Communications in Mars Observations

The OAA Mars Section, Japan

No.279

--- 25 September 2003---

This is a belated edition (belated 16 months) of CMO No.279 which was assumed to have been published on 25 September 2003 when the great planet was decreasing its apparent diameter.

(20 January 2005)

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From #279, we cite 3 articles

CMO No 279 contains:

1. CMO 2003 Great Mars Report #14 deals with the observations made during the fortnight period from 1 September 2003 (λ=252°Ls) to 15 September 2003 (λ=261°Ls). The planet was closest to the Earth on 27 August (λ=249°Ls), and at opposition on 28 August, and so it was at the decreasing phase. However the sky condition in Japan improved as the new month came in, and the Japanese ccd imagers as well as the visual observers augmented their observation rates. During the fortnight, several interesting phenomena occurred. Thyles Mons was at the final stage, and some sandy expansion caused by the projection from the spc was seen beyond the trace of Thyles Mons. VALIMBERTI produced some excellent images around Thyles Mons. Near the region, the morning mist de-concentrated and the grounds partially popped out to be dark wine coloured. Canon LAU at Hong-Kong caught an interesting phenomenon concerning this. The southern summer solstice became near, while Novus Mons survived still until the end of the period. Argenteus Mons became less conspicuous, and Rima Angusta should be said fainter than expected. Bill SHEEHAN spent this period at Mt Hamilton with the Lick grand refractor, and produced a lot of drawings which are comparable with the BARNARD observations in 1894.

2. Letters to the Editor records a number of emails received from nearly 30 persons during the period from 10 September to 24 September 2003. A few of newcomers’ emails are contained.

3. Ten Years Ago treats CMO #137 which was published on 25 September 1993: It reports about an unusual phenomenon of the Southern Ausonia observed on 29 Dec 1992 (λ=018°Ls): there were several observers noting that the area was quite evident during the before noon time. The LtE corner introduced Johan WARELL at Uppsala: He wrote about the past and future of the NMO (Nordic Mars Observers) which Elisabeth SIEGEL from Denmark joined of course. After ten years, Johan WARELL is now active (in 2003) as an amateur Mars observer (as well as a professional astronomer) at Arizona. Elisabeth SIEGEL has observed the 2003 Mars at home. She wrote in the LtE on 16 September 2003 (this issue) that all in all she could hardly believe how lucky she has been with Mars during the 2003 summer endowed with the fine weather.

Now click the underlined items
at the right-hand-side column

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