Jump to content

Narrowband

Mars and dust storm - 19th November 2020


dweller25

Recommended Posts

Here is a sketch I did in poor seeing of Mars with my 4" refractor.

There was a clear gap in the dark terrain between 7 and 8 o'clock on the disk which I believe is where the current dust storm is ?

Mars is shrinking rapidly now and there was a clear phase and darkening on the following side of the disk, by contrast the preceding side was very bright - possible dew/mist or haze.

The south polar cap remains very small and was quite hard to see during this observation due to the poor seeing which varied between AIII and AII.

I used binoviewers - which always give me a better view over cyclops - at magnifications of x179 to x224.

Observation time was 18:05UT, CM of Mars was 114'

Mars_19_11_2020.jpg.9207bfb5170bcd47c3ad5a4ee18bdc67.jpg

 

Edited by dweller25
  • Like 15
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Very interesting; this sketch, recently posted images and the recent observers thread. I was actually initially unaware of this phenomena and was able to observe Mars last night for a time but only after 8.00pm, seeing was mediocre, learning later of and reading the thread last night and seeing subsequent sketches, whilst perhaps a bit late for the dust storm, spiced up the observation.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yep, that is very similar to what I saw, except for me the lower triangular patch appeared a little darker, but then I was using an orange filter. I couldn't see the Southern Polar Cap at all (filter or none), even when I had my DOH ! moment and began looking in the correct area , having  remembered the new mak does not invert the image N/S like the dob I've become accustomed to 🤡

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I had an hour or so of Mars last night before the clouds rolled in- wasn’t till about 10-11 though so i think i’d have missed the storm anyway and seeing wasn’t at all good. But very striking was how not-round the disk is now. I guess it’s been a while since last observation which is very frustrating but it’s definitely leaving us fast 😔

Nice sketch and observation Dweller :)

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 minutes ago, markse68 said:

very striking was how not-round the disk is now.

It seems very flat to me rather than lovely and spherical in earlier observations; but I think I remember it being round 🤔.
Going to have to look out for that now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.