MarsWatch 1996-1997

Images of Mars from Astronomers Around the World


Linking Amateur and Professional Mars Observing Communities

for Observational Support of the Mars Pathfinder Mission


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7 March 1997

The red light (Wratten 23A) drawing of Mars on the left was made on March 7, 1997 (LS=87.30, De=22.25) at 04:00 UT (CM=120.4) by Carlos E. Hernandez (A.L.P.O. Mars Coordinator) using an 8-inch (20-cm) f/7.5 Newtonian reflector at 305x. The North Polar Cap (NPC) appears small and brilliant (10/10) apparently surrounded by a dark to dusky (3-4/10) collar consisting of Baltia, Mare Boreum, Abalos, Nerigos, Ierne, and Scandia. Mare Acidalium (f. or western border) appears dark on the p. limb, or terminator, with an extremely bright (9/10) strip (at the level of Achillis Pons) apparently connecting to a very bright extended strip (Tractus Albus) over the Tempe-Tharsis-Mesogaea-Zephyria region. A very bright (8/10) orographic cloud is visible over Tharsis on the CM most probably associated with Olympus Mons. The Propontis Complex (Propontis I and II as well as Castorius Lacus; at times including Euxinus Lacus) is visible towards the Nf., or morning, limb as a dark (3/10) albedo feature with the Phlegra-Styx region (3-4/10) Sf. it as well the Trivium Charontis-Cerberus (I) region (3/10). Elysium appears extremely bright (9/10) on the f., or morning, limb. Niliacus Lacus and Idaeus Fons appear dark (3/10)on the p. limb apparently connecting to a dusky (4/10) Nilokeras which connects to a dark (3/10) Lunae Lacus which then connects to a dull (5/10) Ganges (these albedo features appear to enclose an extremely bright Chryse-Xanthe region). Solis Lacus appears dark (3/10) on the Sp. limb apparently separated from A dark (3/10) Mare Sirenum by a very bright (8/10) strip over the Daedalia-Claritas region. Araxes appears dusky (4/10) extending from the p. end of Mare Sirenum over southern Tharsis. An extremely bright (9/10) SLH is visible. An extremely bright (9/10) MLH is visible as well.

The blue (Wratten 38A) and blue-green (Wratten 64) drawing of Mars on the right was made at 04:30 UT (CM=127.7) using the same equipment and magnification as above. The North Polar Cap (NPC) appears small and brilliant (10/10). An extremely bright (9/10) cloud is noted over Chryse-Xanthe on the p., or morning, limb apparently connecting with an equally bright cloud over Candor. A very bright (8/10), elongated cloud is noted to extend from Tempe over Tharsis (this portion representing Tractus Albus) through Mesogaea and finally ending over Zephyria. A very bright orographic cloud (Olympus Mons) is visible on the CM. An extremely bright (9/10) ELH, SLH, and MLH are noted as well.

(Legend: N.=north, S.=south, p.=preceding, f.=following, Np.=north-preceding, Nf.=north-following, Sp.=south-preceding, Sf.=south-following, MLH=morning limb haze, ELH=evening limb haze, and SLH=southern limb haze)


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