Mars 27 March

[DarkerSky]

A rushed Mars as I was losing it over the top of the house. Lots of heat inteference from chimneys making things difficult, so only got the broad details in about 20 mins worth of observing.

Planet looking much smaller in the EP now. 9.6 arc seconds. Phase very distinct. NPC noticeable. Seems to have stopped shrinking. Dark collar around it noticeable, grading into lighter shading to its south, where there appeared to be a parallel band of sorts.

Central disc revealed subtle shading marks surrounding Elysium, which was not strikingly bright. The most noticeable of the central disc shading was Trivium Charontis.

In the south were distinct narrow markings. Eastern half was Mare Cimmerium, which seemed to have a protrusion pointing northwards near the CM. Western half was Mare Tyrrhenum, which seemed to dive down the terminator on the western side.

Brightness was seen on the SE limb.

Sketch:

16" LB x 295 Magnification

No filter

22.00 - 22.25 UT

CM approx 218 degrees

[dweller25]

Nice drawing of the quiet side. Great write up too.