Solar&Planetary LtE Now for CMO/ISMO #100 (CMO #474)

Solar & Planetary LtE Now for CMO/ISMO #100 (CMO #474)

Not every email is necessarily cited in the PDF’s CMO LtE

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LtE#473

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¤·····Subject: Mars - August 9th

Received: 16 August 2018 at 02:08 JST

Hi To All!, Here is my session from august 9th.

Efrain

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180809/EMr09Aug18.png

Efrain MORALES RIVERA (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico)

¤·····Subject: Mars 14 August 2018 1900UT IR.

Received: 16 August 2018 at 00:46 JST

HI all,

IR>685nm from yesterday evening, centred on Amazonis.

Best regards, Clyde

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180814/CFs14Aug18.png

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤·····Subject: Mars 13th August 2018

Received: 15 August 2018 at 20:29 JST

Hello all

Please find attached an image showing two sets of Mars data from the 13th August 2018.

Seeing was above average for the evening.

Best wishes

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180813/MVl13Aug18.png

Maurice VALIMBERTI (Melbourne, AUSTRALIA)

¤·····Subject: Mars 2018_14 August RGB Image

Received: 15 August 2018 at 11:03 JST

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180814/GWk14Aug18.png

Gary WALKER (Macon, GA)

¤·····Subject: Mars M180814 vs M180709 ishibashi

Received: 15 August 2018 at 10:44 JST

Tsutomu ISHIBASHI (Kanagawa, JAPAN)

¤·····Subject: Mars M180814 ishibashi

Received: 15 August 2018 at 10:32 JST

Mars image on 14 August 2018.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180814/Is14Aug18.png

Tsutomu ISHIBASHI (Kanagawa, JAPAN)

¤·····Subject: Mars Sketch 14 August 2018

Received: 15 August 2018 at 03:31 JST

Sirs:
Please find attached my most recent Mars observation.

Details:
Mars 14 August 2018   0358 UT
35cm SCT f/11 @ 340x   ZWO ADC
Filters: Magenta M32 & IL
S: 7/10 P   T: 2-3/6   Alt: 25
CM: 327.2   Ls: 230   De: -9.6   Dia: 23.5"

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180814/MRs14Aug18.png

Michael ROSOLINA (Friars Hill, WV)

¤·····Subject: Mars images 8-9th August 2018

Received: 14 August 2018 at 08:44 JST

Hi all,
Some new images taken at AstroQueyras observatory.

http://www.astrosurf.com/uploads/monthly_2018_08/M2018_08_08-9-CPE.png.0889cd20c65eec7776d397d8ec81b397.png

Regards

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180808/CPl08Aug18.png

Christophe PELLIER (Nantes, FRANCE)

¤·····Subject: Mars 13 August

Received: 14 August 2018 at 08:11 JST

Hello,

Please find attached images of Mars from 13 August.

Regards

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180813/BAd13Aug18.png

Barry ADCOCK (Melbourne, AUSTRALIA)

¤·····Subject: Mars - Aug.8th

Received: 14 August 2018 at 06:26 JST

Hi to All!, Here I submit my session from the 8th of august.

Efrain

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180808/EMr08Aug18.png

Efrain MORALES RIVERA (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico)

¤·····Subject: Mars 12 August 2018 1813UT RGB and IR.

Received: 13 August 2018 at １７:46 JST

Hi all,

Despite residual Jetstream, conditions were improved last night after the recent cold front had moved through.

Elysium at lower right and Olympus Mons just appearing at lower left. Mare Cimmerium stretching across the upper section of the image.

Regrettably having a persistent edge artefact which is affecting the SPC.

Best regards, Clyde

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180812/CFs12Aug18.png

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤·····Subject: Mars 2018_12 Aug RGB Images

Received: 13 August 2018 at 03:04 JST

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180812/GWk12Aug18.png

Gary WALKER (Macon, GA)

¤·····Subject: Mars 11 August 2018 1847UT IR.

Received: 12 August 2018 at 17:54 JST

Hi all,

Continuing jetstream combined with a cold front moving through have made conditions pretty poor the last few days.

I tried a few IR’s last night just for monitoring purposes, with this being the best.

Elysium reappearing through the dust haze.

Best regards, Clyde

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180811/CFs11Aug18.png

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤·····Subject: Mo10～14July_2018

Received: 12 August 2018 at 14:45 JST

Mars images on 10~14 July 2014 at LCM=104°W.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180710/Mo10July18.png

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180712/Mo12July18.png

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180713/Mo13July18.png

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180714/Mo14July18.png

Yukio MORITA (Hiroshima, JAPAN)

¤·····Subject: Mars image from 08/10/2018 14:50:31 UT

Received: 11 August 2018 at 16:30 JST

Dear CMO,
Here is a Mars image from 08/10/2018 14:50:31 UT

Comments:
Unexpected excellent low altitude seeing this night!
I was able to observe mostly everything in this image (less pronounced of course)
down to about 24-25 deg altitude. Seems the color of Mars is returning to normal from this side.

best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180810/RHf10Aug18.png

Robert HEFFNER (Osaka, JAPAN)

¤·····Subject: Mars images - August 10

Received: 11 August 2018 at 11:52 JST

Gentlemen,

Seeing no better than 3/5 this night. Transparency was fair initially, enabling me to capture only one RGB set. Transparency turned poor thereafter.

Regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180810/PGc10Aug18.png

Peter GORCZYNSKI (Oxford, CT)

¤·····Subject: Mars

Received: 11 August 2018 at 07:37 JST

Hi To All!, Here I submit my latest sessions obtained recently ans processed.

Efrain

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180807/EMr07Aug18.png

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180804/EMr04Aug18.png

Efrain MORALES RIVERA (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico)

¤·····Subject: Mars August 4, 2018

Received: 10 August 2018 at 07:30 JST

Dear Masatsugu and Masami,

Attached are some images of Mars taken on August 4th. The global dust appears to be clearing some but still tough to see the albedo features when observing visually. The images may show some recent dust activity in and around Syria Planum. Hoping for more clear skies here to get some more images before Mars begins to fade too much in size.

Best wishes,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180804/WFl04Aug18.png

Bill Flanagan (Houston, TX)

¤·····Subject: Mars-13/14-07-2018-Sofia, BULGARIA

Received: 9 August 2018 at 19:14 JST

Dears Sirs,

we offer to your attention one of our photos on Mars from the night of 13/14-07-2018, (~21-22 UT 13.07.2018)

Sofia, BULGARIA
latitude 42o41’02” N
longitude 1h33m23.3s E

Telescope CELESTRON CPC 925 SCT,
cam.I Nova(PLbCx),x5000fr in SharpCap ,PIPP, AS!3

AUTHOR: Mr. Volodya Velkov,

best regards

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180713/VVk13July18.png

Volodya VELKOV (Sofia, BULGARIA)

Astronomical Association Sofia

www.aas.bg

¤·····Subject: Mars images - August 7

Received: 8 August 2018 at 12:14 JST

Gentlemen,

Better than average seeing, deteriorating a bit after transit. Transit was at 4:10UT. Transparency was fair with humid conditions.

Regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180807/PGc07Aug18.png

Peter GORCZYNSKI (Oxford, CT)

¤·····Subject: Mars images 6th August 2018

Received: 8 August 2018 at 08:03 JST

Hi all,
Here are the results on Mars on the second night. Very good conditions.
Regards

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180806/CPl06Aug18.png

Christophe PELLIER (Nantes, FRANCE)

¤·····Subject: Mars images 5th August 2018

Received: 8 August 2018 at 00:33 JST

H‌i all, here are some images taken At AstroQueyras observatory. Conditions were average.

The Mitchell mounts are now visible inside the SPC.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180805/CPl05Aug18.png

Christophe PELLIER (Nantes, FRANCE)

¤·····Subject: Mars 2018 August 04 & 06

Received: 7 August 2018 at 23:08 JST

Poor seeing lately. No new dust activity. Clear run is now broken and it looks like thunderstorms on the way.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180806/DAr06Aug18.png

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180804/DAr04Aug18.png

David ARDITTI (Edgware, Middx., the UK)

¤·····Subject: Mars Sketch 6 August 2018

Received: 7 August 2018 at 23:03 JST

Sirs:

Please find attached the sketch I made after another 9 days of poor weather prevented observations.

Mars 6 August 2018 0515 UT

25cm SCT f/11 @ 326x ZWO DC

Filters: Magenta, W25, 80A, and IL

S: 7-8/10 P T: 5/6 Alt: 25

CM: 57.3 Ls: 225.1 De: -10.1 Dia: 24.2"

Best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180806/MRs06Aug18.png

Michael ROSOLINA (Friars Hill, WV)

¤·····Subject: Mars 6th August 2018

Received: 7 August 2018 at 21:50 JST

Hello all

Attached are some images of Mars taken on the 6th August 2018 in fair seeing conditions.

Best wishes

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180806/MVl06Aug18.png

Maurice VALIMBERTI (Melbourne, AUSTRALIA)

¤·····Subject: Pluto 05-08-2018

Received: 7 August 2018 at 17:41 JST

Hi All,

A three-frame time lapse of Pluto from two nights ago, covering just over two hours.

Elevation approx 15 degrees.

ZWO ASI224MC camera, 2x2 binning, no filters.

Exposure time varied, from approx 0.3-0.9S.

Each finished frame stacked from approx 100 camera frames.

Data from the excellent 'C2A' planetarium freeware.

All the best

Simon KIDD (Cottered,Herts,the UK)

¤·····Subject: Mars 6 August 2018 1945UT RGB and IR.

Received: 7 August 2018 at 17:21 JST

Hi all,

Sitting with Jetstream conditions for a number of days. Image set from last night. Rather fascinating effect in the IR with the light and darker features across the main albedo regions. Some rather familiar features reappearing in the IR. I am wondering (R and IR images) whether the NPC is becoming visible?

Best regards, Clyde

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180806/CFs06Aug18.png

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤·····Subject: Mars 2018.07.16

Received: 7 August 2018 at 14:36 JST

Dears,

Mars under very average conditions with the 1m telescope at Pic du Midi, acquired with Emil Kraaikamp and Manos Kardasis.Dust storm is visible south of Terra Cimmeria.

Infrared:

http://astrosurf.com/delcroix/images/planches/m2018-07-16_00-21_ir742-anim-ek_pic.gif (processed by Emil)

http://astrosurf.com/delcroix/images/planches/m2018-07-16_00-29-18_ir742-md_pic.png

(IR)RGB:
http://astrosurf.com/delcroix/images/planches/m2018-07-16_00-29-18_ir742rgb-md_pic.png

RGB:
http://astrosurf.com/delcroix/images/planches/m2018-07-16_00-52-54_rgb-md_pic.png

Steady skies,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180716/MDc16July18.png

Marc DELCROIX (Tournefeuille, FRANCE)

http://astrosurf.com/delcroix

¤·····Subject: Mars 2018.07.15

Received: 7 August 2018 at 14:32 JST

Dears,

Mars under very average conditions with the 1m telescope at Pic du Midi, acquired with Emil Kraaikamp and Manos Kardasis.Dust storm is visible south of Terra Cimmeria.

Infrared:
http://astrosurf.com/delcroix/images/planches/m2018-07-15_02-12-50_ir742-md_pic.png

http://astrosurf.com/delcroix/images/planches/m2018-07-15_02-35-12_ir807-md_pic.png

RGB:
http://astrosurf.com/delcroix/images/planches/m2018-07-15_02-55-24_clear-md_pic.png

Steady skies,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180715/MDc15July18.png

Marc DELCROIX (Tournefeuille, FRANCE)

http://astrosurf.com/delcroix

¤·····Subject: Jupiter 2018.07.15

Received: 7 August 2018 at 14:13 JST

Hi all,

Jupiter from Pic du Midi with the 1m telescope, under not good conditions, with Emil Kraaikamp and Manos Kardasis:

Infrared:
http://astrosurf.com/delcroix/images/planches/j2018-07-15_21-34-48_ir680-md_pic.png

RGB:

http://astrosurf.com/delcroix/images/planches/j2018-07-15_21-45-06_rgb-md_pic.png

Steady skies

Marc DELCROIX (Tournefeuille, FRANCE)

http://astrosurf.com/delcroix

¤·····Subject: Jupiter 2018.07.14

Received: 7 August 2018 at 14:09 JST

Hi all,

Jupiter from Pic du Midi with the 1m telescope, under not good conditions, with Emil Kraaikamp and Manos Kardasis.

Infrared:
http://astrosurf.com/delcroix/images/planches/j2018-07-14_20-04-54_ir742-md_pic.png

http://astrosurf.com/delcroix/images/planches/j2018-07-14_20-45-00_ir742-md_pic.png

RGB:

http://astrosurf.com/delcroix/images/planches/j2018-07-14_20-33-54_rgb-md_pic.png

In methane absorption band:
http://astrosurf.com/delcroix/images/planches/j2018-07-14_20-18-24_ch4-md_pic.png

http://astrosurf.com/delcroix/images/planches/j2018-07-14_21-06-06_ch4-md_pic.png

Steady skies,

Marc DELCROIX (Tournefeuille, FRANCE)

http://astrosurf.com/delcroix

¤·····Subject: Mars: August 6, 2018

Received: 7 August 2018 at 13:17 JST

Hi ,

I have attached my Mars images of August 6, 2018 from 3:48 UT to 4:02 UT.

Thanks,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180806/FMl06Aug18.png

Frank J MELILLO (Holtsville, NY)

¤·····Subject: Mars images - August 5 & August 6

Received: 7 August 2018 at 11:13 JST

Gentlemen,

August 5 - Poor seeing, improving a bit as approaching meridian. Fair transparency to start, then deteriorating to very poor as approaching meridian. Transit was at 4:20UT.

August 6 - Very good seeing. Light jet stream overhead according to NAM 300mb forecast. Fair transparency, deteriorating quickly at 5:20UT. Transit was at 4:15UT.

Regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180806/PGc06Aug18.png

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180805/PGc05Aug18.png

Peter GORCZYNSKI (Oxford, CT)

¤·····Subject: Mars

Received: 7 August 2018 at 01:05 JST

Hi to All!,

Here are my most recent sessions from the 28th,29th of July and from the 1st, 2nd of August.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180802/EMr02Aug18.png

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180801/EMr01Aug18.png

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180729/EMr29July18.png

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180728/EMr28July18.png

Efrain MORALES RIVERA (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico)

¤·····Subject: Mars 2018/08/03Kumamori

Received: 6 August 2018 at 19:48 JST

Mars images on 3 August 2018 in Okinawa.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180803/Km03Aug18.png

Teruaki KUMAMORI (Osaka, JAPAN)

¤·····Subject: Mars 4th August 2018 IR only

Received: 6 August 2018 at 16:29 JST

Hello all,

I only managed a single IR image of Mars on the 4th August due to poor seeing and high winds.

Please find it attached.

Best wishes

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180804/MVl04Aug18.png

Maurice VALIMBERTI (Melbourne, AUSTRALIA)

¤·····Subject: Mars image from 08/05/2018 15:10:52 UT

Received: 6 August 2018 at 13:17 JST

Dear CMO,
Here is a Mars image from 08/05/2018 15:10:52 UT

Comments:
This image is from my regular location, seeing was not all that terrible for the lowish altitude.

best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180805/RHf05Aug18.png

Robert HEFFNER (Osaka, JAPAN)

¤·····Subject: Mars: August 5, 2018

Received: 6 August 2018 at 12:10 JST

Hi,

I have attached my images of Mars August 5, 2018.

Thanks,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180805/FMl05Aug18.png

Frank J MELILLO (Holtsville, NY)

¤·····Subject: Mars_2018_05 Aug RGB image

Received: 6 August 2018 at 03:38 JST

Seeing continues above average. Acidalium rotated into better view and definitely appears faint compared to Solis area. SPC breaking up.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180805/GWk05Aug18.png

Gary WALKER (Macon, GA)

¤·····Subject: Mars image from 08/01/2018 14:36:33 UT

Received: 5 August 2018 at 21:23 JST

Dear CMO,
Here is a Mars image from 08/01/2018 14:36:33 UT

Comments:
This session was the worst in terms of seeing during the trip as a local power plant released steam which southern winds brought over my imaging location (urghh, ruined the laminar airflow from the Pacific! lol)
Still you can see the major features on this side of Mars. I had my best views of Mars in the telescope oddly this night during intermittent moments when the steam flow changed direction.

best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180801/RHf01Aug18.png

Robert HEFFNER (Osaka, JAPAN)

¤·····Subject: Mars 1st August 2018

Received: 5 August 2018 at 17:46 JST

Hello all,

Attached is an image set of Mars taken on the 1st August in good seeing conditions.

Nice SPR colors are shown as well as some familiar albedo.

Kind regards

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180801/MVl01Aug18.png

Maurice VALIMBERTI (Melbourne, AUSTRALIA)

¤·····Subject: Mars image from 07/28/2018 16:11 UT

Received: 5 August 2018 at 17:28 JST

Dear CMO,
Here is a Mars image from 07/28/2018 16:11 UT

Comments:
Here is another image from the Yaeyama islands, catching up on the data capture backlog still.
This one is a balance between hard and soft processed I think.

best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180728/RHf28July18.png

Robert HEFFNER (Osaka, JAPAN)

¤·····Subject: Mars 4 August 2018 1917UT RGB and IR.

Received: 5 August 2018 at 17:23 JST

Hi all,

Mars image set from yesterday evening. I have pushed the processing on the IR a bit to try and bring out any available detail.

Best regards, Clyde

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180804/CFs04Aug18.png

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤·····Subject: Saturn images on 30 July

Received: 5 August 2018 at 16:32 JST

Saturn images on 30 July 2018.

Tomio AKUSTU (Ibaraki, JAPAN)

¤·····Subject: Mars2018_04 Aug RGB images

Received: 5 August 2018 at 10:55 JST

Good seeing for this image centered on Valles Marineris . Albedo features returning, SPC breaking up.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180804/GWk04Aug18.png

Gary WALKER (Macon, GA)

¤·····Subject: Mars images 31 July

Received: 5 August 2018 at 01:10 JST

Mars images on 31 July 2018 by 40cm Cassegrain at Utsunomiya University.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180731/Ak31July18.png

Tomio AKUSTU (Ibaraki, JAPAN)

¤·····Subject: Massive dust storm rolls through Arizona - BBC News

Received: 4 August 2018 at 08:46 JST

Arizona is like Mars

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-45064648/massive-dust-storm-rolls-through-phoenix-az

Sent from my iPhone

Bill SHEEHAN (Flagstaff, AZ)

¤·····Subject: Mars 31st July 2018 near closest approach

Received: 4 August 2018 at 11:51 JST

Hello all,

Attached are some images of Mars taken on the 31st July 2018 approximately 4 hours after closest approach.

Seeing was average after some rainfall a few hours earlier.

To my eyes the dust seems to have settled a bit more and Mars seems to be showing more of its traditional 'salmon' color.

Best wishes

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180731/MVl31July18.png

Maurice VALIMBERTI (Melbourne, AUSTRALIA)

¤·····Subject: Mars 2018.07.18

Received: 4 August 2018 at 07:30 JST

Dears,

Mars with a C14 at Pic du Midi, acquired with Emil Kraaikamp and Manos Kardasis.

Dust storm is visible south of Terra Cimmeria / Terra Sirenum. Olympus Mons and Tharsis volcanoes are setting, we can distinguish their domes, giving a slight relief effect. South polar zone is still covered partially with dust, and on the limb a bit north, there is a small cloud.

In infrared:

http://astrosurf.com/delcroix/images/planches/m2018-07-18_00-25-48_ir685-anim_md.gif

http://astrosurf.com/delcroix/images/planches/m2018-07-18_00-25-48_ir685_md.png

http://astrosurf.com/delcroix/images/planches/m2018-07-18_01-05-30_ir685_md.png

http://astrosurf.com/delcroix/images/planches/m2018-07-18_01-39-24_ir685_md.png

In RGB:

http://astrosurf.com/delcroix/images/planches/m2018-07-18_00-33-42_rgb-anim_md.gif

http://astrosurf.com/delcroix/images/planches/m2018-07-18_00-33-42_rgb_md.png

http://astrosurf.com/delcroix/images/planches/m2018-07-18_01-17-48_rgb_md.png

http://astrosurf.com/delcroix/images/planches/m2018-07-18_01-31-42_rgb_md.png

Steady skies,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180718/MDc18July18.png

Marc DELCROIX (Tournefeuille, FRANCE)

http://astrosurf.com/delcroix

¤·····Subject: Aug 3 2018

Received: 4 August 2018 at 06:47 JST

Hi Everyone.
Todays IR image hopefully do some RGB imaging soon...

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180803/TWl03Aug18.png

Tim WILSON (Jefferson City, MO)

¤·····Subject: Mars 2 August 2018 1958UT IR.

Received: 3 August 2018 at 15:35 JST

Hi all,

I can only submit this IR from last night as a tribute to Emil and Autostakkert. Conditions were terrible, RGB was out of the question, and I resorted to taking a lengthy string of IR captures in the hope that I may get lucky, and eke something out. Most of the data went straight to recycle bin after first process, but this one somehow popped out.

I have noted recently the bright spot over S Meridiani and it shows quite clearly. It has been visible in my images from 25 July. I does not appear to have moved, so I suspect it is dust settled on the ground and hopefully not a persistent dust cloud hanging over Opportunity rover out of spite…..

Best regards, Clyde

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180802/CFs02Aug18.png

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤·····Subject: Mars 2018 July 31 & August 2

Received: 3 August 2018 at 09:00 JST

Images from two adjacent nights (despite dates – either side of midnight) around closest approach.

Visually the markings other than the polar cap and dark collar are only seen with a lot of attention: they have perhaps 25% of the normal contrast ratio.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180802/DAr02Aug18.png

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180731/DAr31July18.png

David ARDITTI (Edgware, Middx., the UK)

¤·····Subject: Mars Aug 2 2018

Received: 3 August 2018 at 07:08 JST

Hi Everyone.
Todays Ir Image. Blue filter shows the usual haze over the SPC and the NPH did not see anything else.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180802/TWl02Aug18.png

Tim WILSON (Jefferson City, MO)

¤·····Subject: Mars images, August 2nd 2018

Received: 3 August 2018 at 03:57 JST

Hi all,
Some images from this morning. Despite relatively poor seeing it's clear that the global contrast is still very weak. I have included one of my image from 2003 luckily taken at same martian season and same central meridian. The martian atmosphere was much more clear then!

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180802/CPl02Aug18.png

Christophe PELLIER (Nantes, FRANCE)

¤·····Subject: Mars images 30 July

Received: 3 August 2018 at 00:23 JST

Mars images on 30 July 2018.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180730/Ak30July18.png

Tomio AKUSTU (Ibaraki, JAPAN)

¤·····Subject: Mars

Received: 3 August 2018 at 00:00 JST

Hi to All!, Here I submit my latest processed sessions.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180724/EMr24July18.png

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180725/EMr25July18.png

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180726/EMr26July18.png

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180731/EMr31July18.png

Efrain MORALES RIVERA (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico)

¤·····Subject: Mars 1 August

Received: 2 August 2018 at 21:31 JST

Please find attached images of Mars from 1 August.

Regards

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180801/BAd01Aug18.png

Barry ADCOCK (Melbourne, AUSTRALIA)

¤·····Subject: Mars 1 August 2018 1922UT RGB and IR.

Received: 2 August 2018 at 18:52 JST

Hi all,

Mars image set from yesterday evening, with Hellas coming into view, which is amazingly bright in the IR. I also note the bright left limb.

Best regards, Clyde

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180801/CFs01Aug18.png

Clyde FOSTER (Centurion, SOUTH AFRICA)

¤·····Subject: Mars 2018/07/31-Kumamori

Received: 2 August 2018 at 18:48 JST

Mars images on 31 July 2018 in Okinawa.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180728/Km28July18.png

Teruaki KUMAMORI (Osaka, JAPAN)

¤·····Subject: Mars Aug 1 2018

Received: 2 August 2018 at 07:16 JST

Hi All,
Here is todays IR image. Visually looks like the dust is thinning. Blue image not included showed only bright
polar caps.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180801/TWl01Aug18.png

Tim WILSON (Jefferson City, MO)

¤·····Subject: Mars images - August 1

Received: 2 August 2018 at 06:19 JST

Gentlemen,

Seeing was very good last night. Transparency was variable with Mars completely disappearing just before local transit. However, good seeing overcomes less than good transparency and the low elevation of Mars. I'm pretty sure my images were diffraction limited last night.

Regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180801/PGc01Aug18.png

Peter GORCZYNSKI (Oxford, CT)

¤·····Subject: Tribute for John Edward Westfall | Higgins Chapel

Received: 1 August 2018 at 23:13 JST

https://www.higginsmortuary.com/tributes/John-Westfall

John Edward Westfall
August 16, 1938 ~ July 26, 2018 (age 79)

John Edward Westfall
Resident of Antioch
Former Resident of San Francisco
August 16, 1938 ~ July 26, 2018
Professor of Geography and Environmental Sciences at San Francisco State University, 1968 ~ 2005.

Ph.D, The George Washington University; BA and MA, University of California, Berkeley.

Director of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers, 1985 ~ 1995.

John is survived by his wife Elizabeth, his sons Edward Arthur of Washington, DC, and Erik Karl, and grandchildren Zoey Elizabeth and Lincoln Brewster, of Houston. He was loved by his family of DeAnna Axler, Donna Axler, Doug Fike, Jill Westfall, and Laura DeSimio.

John was a very modest man, reluctant to talk about his significant achievements, yet always ready to research and instruct in geography and astronomy. The Eastbay Astronomical Society (EAS) asked him to write about the development and maturing of his interest in astronomy for the August 16, 2016 edition of the EAS newsletter, The Refractor.

Oddly, I can remember what started my fascination with astronomy: it was the photograph of Saturn in the 1931 edition of the Lincoln Library of Essential Information. I ran across the eye-catching photo in 1945, when I was seven. It prompted me to find out the address of Chabot Observatory, in my then home city of Oakland, allowing me to write a letter (unstamped) to its Director, Earle Garfield Linsley (1882-1969, Director 1923-47). The kind Professor Linsley in
troduced me to both the Chabot Observatory and the Eastbay Astronomical Association (as it was then named), which I joined as its ever-youngest (if not ever-young) member in February 1946. Thus, 1945-46 were an exciting couple of years. They even included the greatest meteor shower (actually meteor storm) I’ve ever seen, the Draconids of October 9th, 1946. Somehow, probably through Prof. Linsley, my father took us to our backyard where we watched an ongoing natural fireworks display (estimates gave up to 10,000 meteors per hour); the only problem is that all subsequent meteor showers have seemed tame to me!

Frequent attendance at the EAAs (after 1949 the EAS) monthly meetings at Chabot Observatory formed my image of what an observatory should look like: two refracting telescopes (one at each end of the building, just like Lick and Yerkes), exhibits and an excellent library that I haunted, with a collection stretching back to the 19th Century.

I owe my parents for their indulgence in my new interest, including a Sky and Telescope subscription starting in 1952 and memberships in the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and the British Astronomical Association, also during the 1950s.

An important aspect of my new EAA/EAS membership was meeting and engaging with persons who shared my interests. It would be several years, though, until I encountered fellow amateurs in my age group, at the 1952 and 1956 conventions of the young Western Amateur Astronomers, in Berkeley and Flagstaff, respectively.

Even then I wanted to observe as well as attend talks and meet people. Alfred G. (Al) Leach of the EAS patiently instructed me on the use of Chabot's two telescopes, the 8-inch Alvan Clark refractor, Leah, and the 20-inch Brashear/Warner & Swasey refractor, Rachel (both still in operation). This was just in time for two favorable Mars oppositions, in June 1954 and September 1956. In addition to observing Mars, I was able to use Rachel to observe the Moon during several sessions. Inevitably, by then I had my own telescope. In about 1952 my parents indulged me with a Skyscope 3-1/2-inch reflector, which let me observe my favorite objects, the Moon and planets, on every clear evening from our home in Oakland. Indeed, two years later they surprised me with a better instrument, a 4-inch Tinsley Saturn refractor that I still possess and which was my primary observing instrument from 1954 to 1968 (when I obtained a Cave 10-inch Cassegrain reflector).

By the early 1950s it was clear that my astronomical focus was the Moon and planets. (The term planetary science hadn’t yet been coined.) Thus, it was providential in 1953 that I learned of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (A.L.P.O., founded in 1947). As my letter to Earle Linsley had been fateful in 1945, so was my letter to Walter Henry Haas (1917-2015) in 1953. Both men served as my mentor and sponsor in their respective organizations. My astronomer interests became focused on the A.L.P.O., first in submitting observations, then in serving on its staff (Lunar Recorder, Associate Director, Editor, and Director). Currently I serve as a member of the A.L.P.O. board of directors and coordinator of the Mercury and Venus transit section and of the Galilean satellite eclipse-timing program. Every year I attend its A.L.P.O. convention.

What of the EAS? I still belong and often attend the monthly meetings, although not every month as I now live in Antioch, about 30 miles from Chabot (now named the Chabot Space and Science Center). I have to admit that my EAS membership hasn’t been continuous, as I let it lapse from 1960-68 when I lived in the Washington DC area, employed by the Coast & Geodetic Survey (now the U.S. National Geodetic Survey) and attending the George Washington University, working toward my master’s and doctorate degrees in Geography.

As is the case with many aspiring astronomy enthusiasts, participation in a local astronomy club is an important first step. For one thing, you learn that you are not alone in your interests. In my case, probably not unique, it is also important to have the support of one’s family and also to have a more experienced hand serve as your mentor; in my case particularly Earle Linsley and Walter Haas. To all of them I am indebted.

John’s interests were terrestrial as well. He was always trying to get a better view of the Universe around, whether through a telescope, in the seat of a small plane flitting above the jagged rocks and crevasses of an Alaskan glacier field, or cruising in a small boat off the frigid Antarctic coast. All in pursuit of a better view.

As he looked over the terrain, he also wanted know the stories that it contained: how shallow circular valleys gave lie to a cosmic impact from long ago; how hydro-blasted hillsides revealed both the geologic strata and the uncontained greed of California gold miners; or how the stoic marble grandeur of Roman sites spoke of the inexorable weight of history. His library still brims with the myriad stories of empires long gone, great and desperate voyages, and the people who inhabited these sagas.

In his library you will also find some truly fantastic, amazing, even astounding tales. He had a lifelong love of science fiction as well-evidenced by his extensive collection, including an entire bookshelf with books authored and inspired by H.P. Lovecraft. John’s great love of these genres would suggest that perhaps somewhere in these shelves is a dusty manuscript, entitled “A New World to Explore, by John Westfall.” So, go explore, who knows what you will find.

Author of:
Atlas of the Lunar Terminator, Cambridge University Press, 2000.
The Transits of Venus, co-author with William Sheehan, Prometheus Books, 2004
Celestial Shadows: Eclipses, Transits, and Occultations, Astrophysics Space Science Library, Springer, 2015.

Our Neighbor’s the Moon, An Astronomy Book for Zoey Westfall and Lincoln Westfall, privately published, 2017.

….and, perhaps, A New World to Explore, by John Westfall.

Please sign the electronic guestbook at: www.higginsmortuary.com

Donations in lieu of flowers to:
Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers
P.O. Box 13256
Springfield, Il 62791-3456

Sent from my iPhone

Bill SHEEHAN (Flagstaff, AZ)

¤·····Subject: Mars image from Robert Heffner - 07/31 15:44:41 UT

Received: 1 August 2018 at 20:29 JST

Dear CMO
Here is a Mars image from 07/31 15:44:41 UT

Comments:
Here is an image of the hazy Martian atmosphere on the closest approach day 2018
from the Yaeyama islands in southern Japan.

I tried not to over-process this one and leave the natural "haziness" from the dust.

I have several TB of data from the trip and will send other images slowly over the next weeks.
Visually in the telescope the trip was a success, though it is never easy to process low-altitude planetary images.

best regards,

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180731/RHf31July18.png

Robert HEFFNER (Osaka, JAPAN)

¤·····Subject: Mars 2018/07/28&29-Kumamori

Received: 1 August 2018 at 17:52 JST

Mars images on 28 and 29 July 2018 in Okinawa.

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180729/Km29July18.png

http://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmons/2018/180728/Km28July18.png

Teruaki KUMAMORI (Osaka, JAPAN)

¤·····Subject: Mars dust storm alert from the BAA

Received: 26 July 2018 at 19:50 JST

Dear Observers:

Here is the latest posting on the BAA website, which I updated this morning.

July 26:

I was abroad all of last week and without a telescope, but from the images received there was no doubt that the martian surface was gradually gaining in contrast at all longitudes. The impression remains of dust settled upon the surface, but with a little thinly dispersed matter remaining in the planet’s atmosphere. Even with the naked eye the colour of the planet was somewhat less yellowish. Solis Lacus still looks odd, and the new dark marking in the position of Phasis (or northeast Daedalia) upon the Ebisawa map somewhat reminds me of the region’s appearance in 1986. Mare Cimmerium’s gaps due to dust fallout were returning to a more normal appearance. The Tharsis Montes and Olympus Mons remain visible as dark spots, but will become harder to detect as the dust finally clears. Hellas was bright and featureless, with a diffuse halo of dust visible outside the basin in the best images. Hellespontus looks very wide, invading east Noachis, representing a very typical appearance following any dust excavation event over it. The NW corner of Syrtis Major is still bulging out and therefore anomalous, and the region of Margaritifer Sinus, which was the longitude most thickly veiled by dust at the height of the storm, shows a number of albedo anomalies. The bright yellow fallout along Valles Marineris remains visible. The N. polar hood was conspicuous, as prominent as the S. polar cap, and the limb brightening seemed to be weakly returning. The SPC was lighter, and showed a complex interior pattern of markings.

Last night, July 25-26, a small new dust cloud appeared NW of Solis Lacus and NE of the new Phasis-Daedalia dark feature. (This area had a complex history of activity throughout the 1973 opposition, when there appeared an even larger dark feature which prominently occupied Claritas-Daedalia: my BAA dust storm Memoir (1999) gives a very detailed account of that event sequence.) Observers should therefore watch this area very carefully, which is now well-placed for observation from the longitudes of the UK and Europe. I cannot predict whether this latest storm will expand or simply fade out. It is usual for there to be only limited dust activity in the months following the decay of a major event, but that is only a general rule. Once again I remind observers that the clearing of a major event may bring as many scientific results as the study of its beginning.

Good observing! Opposition (July 27d 05h) is now almost upon us….. and there will be a total eclipse of the Moon to enjoy as well.

I am still keeping a summary of current activity going at the BAA Mars Section website, with a selection of images. This is updated every few days.

With best wishes

Richard McKim

Richard McKIM (Peterborough, The UK)

¤·····Subject: Mars: recent dust activity

Received: 5 June 2018 at 21:40 JST

Dear Observers:

We have seen a number of small, short-lived dust storms this apparition. The latest began in late May, continuing until at least June 4. Images by E.Morales (May 30, 31) show a small bright yellow cloud cutting across the SE part of Mare Acidalium, and later images by D.Milika and P.Nicholas (June 4) show dust greatly expanded over Chryse Planitia and environs. The current event would not be expected to reach more than Regional status, but it reminds us to keep a close watch for events that might develop into much larger things. It has not been widely observed, and if you know of any others who have witnessed it please put them in touch with me.

Please send me any interesting images direct and promptly. I do look regularly at image archiving sites for the work of those observers known to me, but I do not look every day. It would be good to be able to issue an alert rapidly.

You may have seen that I am keeping a summary of current activity going at the BAA Mars Section website, with a selection of images. This is updated every few days.

With best wishes

Richard McKIM (Peterborough, The UK)