Mars - August 27, 2005 - 1:00 AM

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East and West noted in the sketch are Martian E/W, not celestial E/W.

Observation Notes:

The dark band of Mare Cimmerium and the point of Syrtis Minor were prominent along the southern hemisphere. The South polar Cap was not as prominent as it was a month ago. It looks like I also picked up the division between Cimmerium and Tyrrhenum. There appeared to be dark material arrayed broadly around the SPC. (Not the thin dark border I've been seeing--this feature was softer and much broader.) The bright patch of Hellas on the southwestern limb almost appeared as a second polar cap when I first looked. I didn't pick up any detail in the northern hemisphere. I saw no hint of Utopia.

SubjectMars
ClassificationPlanet
Position*Aries [RA: 02:54:37 / Dec: +13:45:45]
Size*13.6" (Equatorial diameter)
Brightness*-0.92
Date/TimeAugust 27, 2005 - 1:30 AM
(August 27, 2005 - 08:30 UT)
Observing Loc.Flagstaff, AZ - Home
InstrumentOrion SVP 6LT Reflector (150 mm dia./1200 mm F/L)
Eyepieces/Mag.10 mm Sirius Plössl+ 2X Barlow (240X)
ConditionsClear, calm, 49° F
SeeingAnt. III-IV
TransparencyMag 5.2 NELM
*SourcesOrion's The Sky Astronomy Software

2 Comments

Chech out mars tonight, as it will be just like a full moon, and be as big as one too! I"m calling all my friends and family and telling them to stay up to 12:30 am, to see this majestic sight. No of us today will ever be able to see this ever again, except for out great x 50-grand children ( probably 50th generation or more from now). Its gonna be tight! SO stay up and wittness history in the making.

Hi CAR,

I hate to throw a wet blanket on this story, but Mars will never pass close enough to Earth to look as large as a full moon to the naked eye. In order for Mars to appear that large, you will need to use a telescope at high power. In 2007 Mars' closest opposition will occur in December. Even then, it will merely look like a bright orange star to the naked eye. You may have gotten this news from a virulent email that has been circulating annually, every August since 2003. More information about this hoax email can be found here.

However, a beautiful sight is coming up for the early morning of August 28th. That morning, a Lunar eclipse will take place with the Moon taking on a dark red color as it passes through the Earth's shadow. The eclipse will be at its peak from 2:52 - 4:22 am on the west coast of the US, or from 5:22 - 7:22 am on the east coast. This is definitely something to wake up early for.

Jeremy

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About this Entry

This page contains a single entry by Jeremy Perez published on August 27, 2005 1:30 AM.

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