Observing Notes
from the Tuckahoe Irregulars
A good morning for Mars!
2003/06/23, 09:00 UT, Bowie MD, 4.25-inch f/10 reflector 225x:
Seeing 5 out of 10. Weak frontal system moved through bringing clearer skies and more summer like weather. Weak/moderate dew, but everything is very wet from record breaking rain over last two months. Sinus Sabaeus most apparent dark feature. Northern "hooks" seen first with #25 filter (red) and then in white light. Lots of detail in the Noachis area south of SS. Mare Erythraeum on following rim, but missing fine detail. General appearence was that large areas of the planet were shaded, but detail only broken out with lots of study. Haze in north seen white light, seemed to extend following more than on the 21st. Dark ring around SCP. Looked for darkening near North Pole, but did not see it.
Bob Bunge
Bowie, MD