The Eye of the Coppery Orb

Mars

Mars
Terrestrial Planet
By Eric Graff
Parks Astrolight EQ6 • 6″ f/6 Newtonian Reflector
7.5mm Parks Gold Series Plössl + 2x Barlow • 240x, 13′ FoV
30 September 2007 • 12:30-13:00 UT

The December 2007 opposition of Mars will pale in comparison to the very favorable oppositions of 2003 and 2005, achieving a maximum angular diameter of 15.9″ on 18 December 2007. On the other hand, it will not appear this large again until the opposition of 2016; also, unlike the previous two favorable oppositions, the Red Planet rides high over the northern crest of the ecliptic, placing it nearly overhead as it crosses the meridian for northern hemisphere observers.

On 30 September 2007, the Martian disk measures a mere 9.6″ and still shows a strong gibbous phase (the disk is 87% illuminated). The central meridian (CM) at the time of observation was approximately 110°. The principal Martian surface features identified during this observation include the dusky circular feature Solis Lacus drifting toward the terminator and the dark band of Mare Sirenum emerging from the limb. The Tharsis plateau, home of Mars’ mighty shield volcanoes occupies the relatively featureless golden plain near the center of the disk. Bright patches were detectable in the vicinity of both the north and south poles; I’m not sure whether these are the actual polar ice caps or “polar hoods” which are atmospheric mists associated with the evaporation of the caps. A few other patches of haze were detected around the southern limb.

4 thoughts on “The Eye of the Coppery Orb”

  1. Eric,
    this is a really great rendering of our red neighbour, one of the most realistic sketches, I have ever seen.
    You could indeed call it art!

    Sebastian

  2. Dear Eric,

    That is quality my friend. I have produced numerous Mars sketches this opposition already but none are anything like in this league! Incredible work, do show us more.

    Dale

  3. Very nicely done Eric!! As I have yet to aquire the proper filters to observe ANYTHING other than a red disk when I observe Mars, I can always look back on this sketch with excitement of knowing that someday……

    Excellent!

    ~WadeVC

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