Mars 09-Sep-2003

Just got in from another observation and had to post it. I've never seen detail *INSIDE* Syrtis Major before!

Anyone else feel compelled to get out at every opportunity? I figure that it's going to be a long time before I can get observations like this again. Using S&T's Mars Profiler, the next opposition November 2005 the disk will get just over 20", and the next opposition after that it will be smaller yet. So I feel like I just HAVE to get out when I can.

Either that or I'm just addicted!

Regards,
Doug

Attached Image:

Great sketch. I have seen detail in Syrtis off and on for a few weeks. Unfortunately, last night was TERRIBLE. I had trouble even seeing Hellas. It was much better to just lay back and take in the moon/Mars pair over the trees.

Doug - a very nice sketch. Yup you're addicted! Keep going while the drive is there! I think my addiction is gone for this opposition so I haven't been posting much. After 42 sketches and being up late night after night after night for the last month or two I just feel done and completely burned out on Mars. Besides the seeing here has gotten considerably worse lately it seems. Everyone keep up the good work. I'm spent.

I've been getting up fairly routinely at 4 a.m., then 2:30 and now 1:30 for 60-90 minutes to view Mars, if it's cloudy I just go back to bed.