23 January 1997
A drawing of Mars made on January 23, 1997 (Ls=68.61, De=22.56) at 11:05 UT (CM=250.4) by Carlos E. Hernandez (A.L.P.O. Mars Recorder) using an 8-inch (20-cm) f/7.5 Newtonian reflector at 305x and 492x as well as Wratten 23A, 38A, and 64 filters. The North Polar Cap (NPC) appears brilliant (10/10) with what appears to be the NPC remnant Cecropia, at approximately 80 degrees north and 275 degrees west, preceding (p.) the central meridian (CM). This is an indicator of the rapid regression of the NPC towards late martian northern spring, nearly at aphelion (70 degrees Ls). The NPC is surrounded by a dark (3/10) collar consisting of Panchaia, Uchronia, Utopia, and Cecropia (from p. to f.). Casius appears as a dark (3/10) wedge projecting to the south from Utopia following (f.) the CM. Nodus Alcyonius appears as a dark (3/10), elliptical albedo feature Sp. Nodus Alcyonius over Aetheria. Elysium appears very bright (8/10) adjacent to the terminator with Cerberus I (3/10) Sp., Eunostos I (4/10) Sf., the Hyblaeus extension (3/10) Nf., and Chaos (3-4/10) north of Elysium. Mare Cimmerium appears dark (3/10) towards the southern limb p. the CM with Tritonis Sinus at it's f. end. Mare Tyrrhenum also appears dark (3/10) f. the CM and appears to be divided from Mare Cimmerium by a very bright (8/10) Hesperia. An extremely bright (9/10) cloud appears over Libya. Syrtis Major appears dark (3/10) towards the morning, or f., limb. An extremely bright (9/10) morning limb haze (MLH) is noted as well.