Posts Made By: Carlos E. Hernandez

I made an observation of Saturn on November 17, 2005 at 06:30 U.T. under average seeing conditions (5-6/10). The South Equatorial Belt (SEB) was prominent (3-4/10) and tan (beige) colored and with an irregular southern border. The Equatorial Zone was bright (7/10) and cream colored. The South Tropical Zone (STrZ) was bright (7/10) and light beige in color. The South Temperate Belt (STB) was thin, dusky (4/10) and light brown in color. The South Temperate Zone (STZ) was bright (7/10) and beige colored. The South Polar Region (SPR) was dusky (4/10), brown colored and mottled with a dark (3/10) central (polar) area. Ring A was dusky (4/10) with a light bluish-gray color (no sign of the Encke minima). Ring B was dusky (4/10) over it's inner half and bright (7/10) over it's outer half. Ring C (Crepe) was translucent and shaded (6/10). Dione, Tethys, and Rhea were noted, preceding to following. I welcome any comments that you may have on my observation.

The best of luck to you and your wife. I look forward to your excellent images.

Regards,
Carlos

I made a pair of observations of Mars on November 25, 2005 (06:30 and 07:00 U.T.) under average (5-6/10) seeing conditions. Much detail was noted over the southern hemisphere, especially the Solis Lacus region. I welcome any comments on my observations.

Date (U.T.): November 25, 2005
Time (U.T.): 06:30 (left image) and 07:00 (right image)
CM: 086.6 (left image) and 094.0 (right image)
Ls: 330.0 (Mid-Late Northern Winter/Southern Summer)
De -18.1, Ds -12.1, p 0.982, 17.85"
Instrument: 9" F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248x and 290x
Filters (Wratten): 30 and 38A
Seeing (1-10): 5-6, Antoniadi (I-V): III
Transparency (1-6): 5

Notes:
06:30 U.T. (Left image, IL/W30): The South Polar Cap (SPC) was very small and brilliant (10/10) surrounded by a dark (3/10) collar. Mare Australe appeared dusky to dull (4-5/10) and mottled. Solis Lacus was visible just preceding the CM appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) with northern (Geryon (5/10) and Calydon (4/10)) and southern (Ambrosia (5/10) and Bathys (4/10)) projections over Thaumasia (7/10). Solis Lacus appeared to be mottled within during moments of steady seeing. Nectar (3-4/10) was visibly connecting Solis Lacus to Mare Erythraeum (3-4/10). Protei Regio appeared shaded to bright (6-7/10) within Mare Erythraeum. Aurorae Sinus appeared as a dark (3/10), bifid projection from the north-following border of Mare Erythraeum. Agathodaemon (Coprates) was visible as a dark to dusky (3-4/10), curvilinear projection from the following (western) border of Mare Erythraeum connecting to the Tithonius Lacus complex (3-4/10, Melas Lacus, Noctis Lacus, Echus Lacus, Hebes Lacus, and Ius Lacus). Bosporos Gemmatus was dark to dusky (3-4/10) with condensations within it. Aonius Sinus (3/10) was visible following the CM. Daedalia appeared bright (7/10) between Phasis and Araxes (5/10). Mare Sirenum was visible following the CM, towards the following limb. and appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10). Phaethontis appeared bright (7/10) south of Mare Sirenum. Niliacus Lacus (3-4/10) and Mare Acidalium (4/10) were visible towards the north-preceding limb, partially obscured by clouds/haze (8-9/10). Tharsis , Arcadia and Amazonis appeared bright (7/10). Dusky to dull (4-5/10) albedo features were noted over (or visible through) a semi-transparent North Polar Haze (NPH, 8-9/10). Thin and extremely bright (9/10) morning and evening limb hazes (MLH and ELH) were noted as well.

07:00 U.T. (Right image, W38A): Solis Lacus and Mare Sirenum were visible as dull (5/10) albedo features. Extremely bright (9/10) morning limb haze (MLH) and evening limb haze (ELH) were visible as well.

The best of luck in your own imaging and observations of Mars.

Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez

I made a pair of observations of Mars on November 27, 2005 (03:00 and 04:00 U.T.) under average to good (5-7/10) seeing conditions. Much detail was noted over the southern hemisphere, especially between Sinus Sabaeus and Mare Erythraeum. I welcome any comments that you may have on my observations.

Date (U.T.): November 27, 2005
Time (U.T.): 03:00 (left image) and 04:00 (right image)
CM: 017.6 (left image) and 032.2 (right image)
Ls: 331.0 (Mid-Late Northern Winter/Southern Summer)
De -18.3, Ds -11.7, p 0.98, 17.6"
Instrument: 9" F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248x, 290x, and 348x
Filters (Wratten): 30 and 38A
Seeing (1-10): 5-7, Antoniadi (I-V): III-II
Transparency (1-6): 5

Notes:
03:00 U.T. (Left image, IL/W30): The South Polar Cap (SPC) was very small and brilliant (10/10) surrounded by a thin, dark (3/10) collar. Mare Australe appeared dusky to dull (4-5/10) and mottled. Noachis appeared shaded to bright (6-7/10). Pandorae Fretum appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) and mottled (with a thin, bright (7/10) streak (cloud?) noted within it). Deucalionis Regio appeared shaded to bright (6-7/10) with two, dull (5/10) bands across it. Sinus Sabaeus and Sinus Meridiani appeared dark (3/10) preceding the CM (Sigeus Portus (4/10) noted along the northern border of Sinus Sabaeus). Iani Fretum (?) was noted as a dull (5/10) and diffuse band between Sinus Meridiani (south-following border) and Margaritifer Sinus (preceding (or eastern) border). Aeria, Arabia, Eden, Moab, and Aram appeared bright (7/10). Ismenius Lacus appeared as a thin, dusky (4/10) wedge adjacent to an extremely bright (9/10) North Polar Haze (NPH). Margaritifer Sinus appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) and mottled following the CM. Mare Erythraeum appeared dark to dull (3-5/10) and mottled with bright (7/10) streaks within it (Pyrrhae Regio?). Argyre appeared bright (7/10) over it's north-following sector whereas the rest of the albedo feature appeared dusky to dull (4-5/10). Aurorae Sinus appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) and bifid towards the following limb. Chryse-Xanthe appeared bright (7/10) and free of dust. Niliacus Lacus appeared as a dark (3/10) wedge adjacent to the NPH (portions of it visible through the haze). Thin and extremely bright (9/10) morning and evening limb hazes (MLH and ELH) were noted as well.

04:00 U.T. (Right image, W38A): Sabaeus Sinus, Sinus Meridiani, Margaritifer Sinus, Mare Erythraeum, and Niliacus Lacus were visible as dull (5/10) albedo features. Diffuse and bright (7/10) streaks were noted over Mare Erythraeum/Argyre (water vapor clouds?). Extremely bright (9/10) morning limb haze (MLH), evening limb haze (ELH), North Polar Haze (NPH), and South Polar Haze (SPH) were visible as well.

The best of luck in your own imaging and observations of Mars.

Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez

I made a digital painting of a conjunction of the Moon (27.3 days old, Waning Crescent) and Jupiter (separated by approximately 5 degrees) on November 29, 2005 at 11:15 U.T. The nearby clouds displayed a pale orange color that added to the scene. I hope that others were able to observe this event as well.

Carlos

I made a rendering of the Lunar-Venus conjunction on December 4, 2005 at 22:15 U.T. (05:15 PM EST). The Moon was 3.6 days old and separated from Venus by 3.2 degrees. Thin wispy clouds provided an eerie look to the scene. The palms provided a nice foreground to the scene as well. I hope that you all like it.

I made an observation of Mars on December 8-9, 2005 (23:45 and 00:15 U.T., respectively) under average to good seeing conditions (5-7/10). Detail was noted over the southern hemisphere. I welcome any comments that you may have on my observation.

Date (U.T.): December 8-9, 2005
Time (U.T.): 23:45 (left image, Dec. 8, 2005) and 00:15 (right image, Dec. 9, 2005)
CM: 221.6 (left image) and 228.9 (right image)
Ls: 337.4 (Late Northern Winter/Southern Summer)
De -19.1, Ds -9.3, p 0.96, 15.6"
Instrument: 9-inch (23-cm) F/ 13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248x and 290x
Filters (Wratten): 30 and 38A
Seeing (1-10): 5-7, Antoniadi (I-V): III-II
Transparency (1-6): 4-5

Notes:
23:45 U.T. (Left image, CM 221.6, IL/W30): The South Polar Region (SPR) was obscured by a very bright to extremely bright (8-9/10) haze (The South Polar Cap (SPC) was not visible). Mare Chronium appeared dusky to dark (3-4/10). Electris and Eridania appeared shaded to bright (6-7/10) and mottled. Mare Cimmerium appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) with a bright (7/10) northern border and "Valhalla" visible (5/10) in sections. A thin, dusky (4/10) streak (Aethiops I ?) was visible projecting from the Northern/following border of Mare Cimmerium. Hesperia appeared shaded to bright (6-7/10) with dull (5/10) streaks across it. Mare Tyrrhenum appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) and Syrtis Minor was dark (3/10). Zephyria, Aeolis, Aethiopis, and Aetheria appeared bright (7/10) without any other detail visible. Elysium appeared bright (7/10) on the CM with a dark to dusky (3-4/10) Phlegra to the east (preceding) and a dark to dusky (3-4/10) Hyblaeus Extension to the west (following). Extremely bright (9/10) morning limb haze (MLH), evening limb haze (ELH) and North Polar Region (NPR) were noted.

00:15 U.T. (Right image, CM 228.9, W38A): A bright to very bright (7-8/10) cloud was visible over Electris-Eridania projecting from the following limb. Mare Cimmerium, Mare Tyrrhenum, and Mare Chronium appeared dull (5/10). A very bright to extremely bright (8-9/10) cloud was visible over the Amazonis-Arcadia region towards the preceding limb. Extremely bright (9/10) MLH, ELH, SPR, and NPR were noted.

Ironically the current diameter of Mars (15.6") is just smaller than the largest apparent diameter for the upcoming apparition (15.89" on December 18, 2007). The best of luck imaging and observing Mars.

Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez

I made an observation of Mars on December 13, 2005 (01:45 and 02:15 U.T.) under average seeing conditions (5/10). Detail is still noted over the Martian southern hemisphere as recorded. Elysium was prominent on the CM. I welcome any comments that you may have on my observation.

Date (U.T.): December 13, 2005
Time (U.T.): 01:45 (left image) and 02:15 (right image)
CM: 214.3 (left image) and 221.6 (right image)
Ls: 339.6 (Late Northern Winter/Southern Summer)
De: -19.2, Ds: -8.4, p 0.95, 14.9"
Instrument: 9-inch (23-cm) F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248x, 290x, and 344x
Filters (Wratten): 30 and 38A
Seeing (1-10): 5, Antoniadi (I-V): III
Transparency (1-6): 5

Notes:
01:45 U.T. (Left image, CM 214.3, IL/W30): The South Polar Cap (SPC) was very small and brilliant (10/10). Mare Chronium was dusky to dark (3-4/10) and mottled on the CM. Electris and Eridania were bright (7/10), but no cloud or dust activity was noted at this time. The western (following) tip of Mare Sirenum (4/10) was visible on the preceding limb. Mare Cimmerium was dusky to dark (3-4/10) and mottled. Hesperia was thin and bright (7/10) with dull (5/10) streaks across it. Mare Tyrrhenum was dusky to dark (3-4/10) and mottled towards the following limb. Zephyria and Aeolis appeared shaded to bright (6-7/10). Aethiopis and Aetheria appeared bright (7/10). Elysium was shaded to bright (6-7/10) on the CM towards the North Polar limb with dull (5/10) condensations within it. Phlegra appeared dusky to dark (3-4/10) preceding Elysium. The Hyblaeus Extension appeared dusky to dark (3-4/10) as well following Elysium. Morning limb haze (MLH), evening limb haze (ELH), South Polar Region (SPR), and the North Polar Region (NPR) appeared extremely bright (9/10).

02:15 U.T. (Right image, CM 221.6, W38A): Mare Cimmerium and Mare Tyrrhenum appeared dusky to dull (4-5/10) preceding and following the CM, respectively. Mare Chronium appeared dull (5/10) on the CM. Very bright (8/10) hazes were noted to project from the preceding, Southern, and following limbs over Zephyria, Aethiopis, and Mare Chronium, respectively. Extremely bright (9/10) MLH, ELH. SPR, and NPR were noted as well.

The best of luck in your own imaging and observations of Mars.

Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez

I made an observation of Mars on December 17, 2005 (01:00 U.T.) under average seeing conditions (5-6/10), but had to peek through "holes" in the clouds passing overhead. The weather did not allow me to make a blue light (W38A) observation. I welcome any comments that you may have on my observation.

Date (U.T.): December 17, 2005
Time (U.T.): 01:00
CM 166.5
Ls: 341.7 (Late Northern Winter/Southern Summer)
De: 19.2, Ds: -7.6, p 0.94. 14.3"
Instrument: 10-inch (25-cm) F/9 Newtonian (Palermiti Observatory)
Magnification: 320x
Filters: Klee OPS Barlow (employs a filter layer within the lens)
S (1-10): 5-6, Antoniadi (I-V): III
Transparency (1-6): 1 (visible through holes in the clouds)

Notes:

01:00 U.T. (CM 166.5): The South Polar Cap (SPC) was not visible at this time (SPR haze?). Mare Chronium appeared dusky (4/10) on the CM. Mare Sirenum appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) preceding the CM. Mare Cimmerium appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) following the CM. Electris and Eridania appeared bright (7/10) with thin, dull (5/10) streaks across projecting from Mare Sirenum and Mare Cimmerium. Memnonia, Zephyria, Aeolis, and Aethiopis appeared bright (7/10). The Propontis Complex appeared dusky (4/10) adjacent to the extremely bright (9/10) North Polar Region (Hood) preceding the CM. Phlegra appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) following the CM towards the North-following limb. Extremely bright (9/10) morning limb haze (MLH), evening limb haze (ELH), and South Polar Region (SPR) were noted as well.

The best of luck in your own imaging and observation of Mars. Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

Regards,
Carlos

I made an observation of Saturn on December 18, 2005 (06:00 U.T.) under average seeing conditions (5-6/10). I noted detail over the globe and rings as recorded.

Date (U.T.): December 18, 2005
Time (U.T.): 06:00
CMI 336.3, CMII 074.6, CMIII 261.6
De: -17.7, Ds: -19.3
Instrument: 9-inch (23-cm) F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 272x
Filters: Klee OPS Barlow (2.8x, propietary filter layer within lens)
S (1-10): 5-6, Antoniadi (I-V): III
Transparency (1-6): 4

Notes:
The South Equatorial Belt (SEB) appeared a pastel brown and dark to dusky (3-4/10, divided into two parts (SEBn and SEBS). The Equatorial Zone (EZ) was bright (7/10) and a pastel yellow color. The South Temperate Belt (STB) appeared thin and dusky (4/10). The South Temperate Zone (STZ) appeared bright and pastel yellow. The South South Temperate Belt (SSTB) appeared very thin and dull (5/10). The South Tropical Zone (STrZ) appeared shaded to bright (6-7/10) and pastel yellow. The South Polar Region (SPR) appeared dusky (4/10) with a central bright (7/10) area which contained a dark (3/10) core. The North Polar Region (NPR) appeared featureless.

I welcome any comments on my observation. Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez

I made an observation of Saturn on December 26, 2005 (06:00 U.T.) under average seeing conditions (5/10, moments of 6-7/10 were noted at times). Detail was noted over the South Equatorial Belt (SEB) and rings. I welcome any comments on my observation.

Date (U.T.): December 26, 2005
Time (U.T.): 06:00
CMI 251.5, CMII 091.4, CMIII 268.8
De: 17.9, Ds: -19.2
Instrument: 9-inch (23-cm) F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 271x
Filters: Klee OPS Barlow
Seeing (1-10): 5, Antoniadi (I-V): III
Transparency (1-6): 5

Notes:
Equatorial Zone (EZ): Appeared bright (7/10), a pastel yellow, and without any detail visible within.
South Equatorial Belt (SEB): Appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) with a thin, irregular bright (7/10) zone over it's midsection. The color noted was a light pastel (caramel) brown.
South Tropical Zone (STrZ): Appeared bright (7/10) and pastel yellow.
South Temperate Belt (STB): Appeared dusky (4/10), thin, and pastel brown.
South Temperate Zone (STZ): Appeared bright (7/10), thin, and pastel yellow.
South South Temperate Belt (SSTB): Appeared dull (5/10), very thin, and pastel brown.
South South Temperate Zone (SSTZ): Appeared shaded (5/10), thin, and pastel yellow.
South Polar Region (SPR): Appeared dark to dusky (3-4/10) and pastel light green. The center of the zone was shaded (6/10) with a dark (3/10) central core.

Ring A: Appeared shaded (6/10) but no other detail visible over it.
Ring B: Appeared dusky to dull (4-5/10) over it's inner half and bright 97/10) over it's outer half.
Ring C (Crepe): Appeared dusky (4/10) and translucent.

The best of luck in your own imaging and observations of Saturn.

Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez