Mars - 18th February 2012

[dweller25]

Finally got a good view of Mars - it's been 3 months since I last saw it !!

Conditions were a bit windy with rapidly dropping temperatures but the C8 turned out a nice image.

The NPC is very white and has shrunk a lot since my last viewing.

Syrtis Major was just disappearing and Mare Acidalium was just rotating into view, followed by a very bright limb - clouds or dew ??

Mare Sirenum could be seen too.

A slight phase could just be detected.

C8 plus binoviewers at x316

22:25UT, 18th Feb 2010, seeing AIII - windy

[DarkerSky]

Excellent sketch and observation David!

I was out on Mars too, but a bit later than you. Like you, had my best view so far this year! You're right about the NPC, it has really shrunk away quite considerably this time. I don't remember it shrinking away so quickly last time around as it was still a decent size at opposition.

[dweller25]

Thanks Seb, not too bad after I had a glass or two of wine !!!

[RikM]

Lovely sketch David. Do you know of a good online mars map? I have been having a go at the red planet but I have no idea which features I am looking at other than the polar cap.

[dweller25]

Thanks Rik,

I find this map very good....

Mars 2005 - 2006 - SkyInsight