Mars - 22nd February 2010

[dweller25]

Mars - 22nd Feb 2010, 21:05UT

8" F/6 Newtonian, x300, no filters.

Seeing III, CM = 144'

Tonight Olympus Mons was right in the middle of the Martian disk. I was hoping it would be covered in bright white clouds making it easier to see but sadly no joy.

There were however some nice bright areas on both the preceeding and following limbs.

The NPC is now tiny and quite dim.

A 7.9 magnitude star was in close proximity - HIP40933.

[DarkerSky]

Nice one! Call me mad, but I think tracking the shrinkage of the NPC is such a cool thing. I agree, it is definately dimmer than it was a few weeks ago.

[dweller25]

You are mad ....

And so am I ....

I find it fascinating that we can see the polar cap receeding on another world.

[russ]

Excellent work as usual. Real shame about Olympus Mons, that would have been a real catch.

My drawing still hasn't got off the ground. Since i got that wretched 6b pencil we've had nothing but wall to wall cloud, rain, sleet and wind. That pencil is worse luck than a new scope! At this rate i'll be cutting my drawing teeth on Saturn not Mars.

Russ

[dweller25]

The shrinking ploar cap ..... (please ignore the image scales !!!!)

1st Jan 2010 v 22nd Feb 2010

[dweller25]

Excellent work as usual. Real shame about Olympus Mons, that would have been a real catch.

My drawing still hasn't got off the ground. Since i got that wretched 6b pencil we've had nothing but wall to wall cloud, rain, sleet and wind. That pencil is worse luck than a new scope! At this rate i'll be cutting my drawing teeth on Saturn not Mars.

Russ

Mars still has some life left in it so hang on in there Russ - I saw Saturn last night - very low down at 9:30PM. It won't be long before it's drawable.

[russ]

That's a big difference in the NPC. You should have good range of drawings now for the whole Mars season.