Magnificent Mars - March 1, 2012

[DarkerSky]

Battled dewing optics and incoming fog in AIII seeing to get a really nice Mars last night in my 16"

16" x295 magnification

Neodymium Filter

CM 225 degrees

21.30UT

Elysium had just transited the CM with a trio of dark markings around the area looking prominent. Utopia was looking good, and showed a segment rising up towards Syrtis Major, which was just poking itself around the morning limb. At the southern extent of this segment was a vague brightened area.

The NPC itself looked 'dirty'. An obvious cap, but not the stand-out brightness I know it can have.

In the south Mare Cimmerium took on a greenish hue. A low contrast marking seemed to drop down from it just to the following side of the CM. Mare Tyrrhenum was seen over-riding Cimmerium in the extreme south.

Around the the southern limb there was a little greenish/white brightness. On the preceeding evening limb two extensive areas of cloud / haze were apparent. This seemed to slowly diminish through the observation.

[paul mc c]

Brilliant! and an excellent report i was out last night but couldnt get a good steady view of Mars.

[bish]

Great pic. Lots of subtle detail.

[DarkerSky]

Thanks for your comments guys. It was fun to sketch this one

[JamesF]

Well done. I think that's caught the colours very nicely and you've picked up the hints of (what I believe is) cloud, too. Lovely sketch.

James

[RikM]

That's great. The colour is spot on.

[Venus_is_my_friend]

Brilliant detail, very nice blend of colours. Great work!

[DarkerSky]

Thanks for all your comments. I just hope we get more opportunities to get some decent Mars viewing in this month and next. Cloudy here right now

[todd8137]

another great drawing from your self ,i would look a look with that 16"

[Zul]

Great!