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Observation of Feb. 21, 1997
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Begin: 22h 50m UT
End: 1h 00m (Feb. 22)
Ls = 82' diam = 12.6 arcsec
Drawings:
a) 23h 05m: CM 163
See details of NPC on sketch
Semi-apo refractor of Osservatorio di Torino, 420 mm f/16.7, 412 X.
Seeing (Antoniadi) IV, poor transparency.
Notes:
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Nix Olympica perfectly round and very bright, sorrounded by a dark, diffuse
patch on the preceding and southern side. In moments of good seeing another
isolated white spot is suspected south-prec. of Nix Olympica. Sometimes
I have the impression that it is small and round, other times it seems elongated
(as drawn) with a brighter core. Very bright white cloud at the preceding
limb, apparently divided in two parts. NPC details more defined with W38A.
A white patch closely follows the NPC at its edge. It is closer to CM later
(see sketch). Probably the same cap fragment seen on Feb. 16. NPC is not
very bright and its boundary is not clearly defined. Bad seeing prevents
a more detailed view.
Paolo Tanga
Mars Program Coordinator
Sezione Pianeti - Unione Astrofili Italiani