Courses in Astrophotography

Mars Apparition 2007.

The 2007apparition of Mars is the best placed opposition of the current cycle for northern observers as the Planet reaches its maximum northward declination meaning Mars is placed high in the sky. The declination reaches +26º, while the disk diameter reaches almost 16 arc seconds at opposition time, and remaining well placed throughout the post opposition period.

At the time of writing (August 07) a major global dust storm (similar to those in 2001, 1973 etc) is currently raging on the Planet seriously affecting the visibility of the well known albedo markings as well as seriously affecting NASA's Martian rovers.

Mars on November 12th, 2007. Dia=13.26". Syrtis Major is very prominent along with a rather dusty Hellas. Note the detail in the NPR. Some delicate clouds/hazes across the Martian disk.

Mars on November 5th, 2007. Dia=12.56". Mare Erythraeum is central along with Chryse and Niliacus Lacus/Mare Acidalium. Streaky and opaque NPH over Acidalium. Weak dust cloud over Chryse obscuring Niliacus Lacus. New bright dust core near Achillis Fons.

Mars on October 31st, 2007. Dia=12.07". Mare Erythraeum is central along with Chryse and Niliacus Lacus/Mare Acidalium. Streaky and opaque NPH over Acidalium. Indus "canal" is very dark connecting Oxia Palus with Niliacus Lacus.

Mars on October 21st, 2007. Dia=11.18". Solis Lacus is coming into view. Note the Tharsis volcanos are seen as dusky spots with Arsia Mons appearing darkest.

Mars on October 20th, 2007. Dia=11.10". Mare Sirenum is well seen along with the dark spots of Olympus and Arsia Mons.

Mars on October 19th, 2007. Dia=11.02". Mare Cimmerium is well seen along with Elyisum and its surrounding dusky markings. The Hyblaeus extension bordering Elysium has become extended following the storm as noted in previous months. Note the detail with the northern polar region. The Arsia Mons orographic cloud has become active again.

Mars on October 18th, 2007. Dia=10.94". Mare Cimmerium is well seen along with Elyisum and its surrounding dusky markings. The Hyblaeus extension bordering Elysium has become extended following the storm as noted in previous months.

Mars on October 7th, 2007. Dia=10.11". Syrtis Major is prominent with Hellas bright. NPH is dense.

Mars on October 5th, 2007. Dia=9.96". Poor seeing. Syrtis Major is prominent. NPH is dense. Hellas bright.

Mars on September 30th, 2007. Dia=9.64". Sinus Meridiani is central. Oxia Palus is dark with the Indus "canal" connecting it to Niliacus Lacus. The NPH is dense and clumpy.

Mars on September 26th, 2007. Dia=9.42". Mare Erythraeum is central along with Chryse and Mare Acidalium. Aurorae Sinus is dark with its familiar finger like projections. Indus "canal" is dark connecting Oxia Palus with Niliacus Lacus. Argyre is bright to the south. The NPH is dense and extensive across Mare Acidalium.

Mars on September 16th, 2007. Dia=8.84". Mare Sirenum prominent having changed somewhat since the duststorm back in June-July. Olympus Mons seen as a prominent dark spot. Ascraeus, Pavonis and Arsia Mons also seen as dark spots moving over the terminator. Solis Lacus is also visible at the terminator. Markings visible below the NPH.

Mars on September 15th, 2007. Dia=8.79". Mare Sirenum prominent having changed somewhat since the duststorm back in June-July. Olympus Mons seen as a prominent dark spot. Ascraeus, Pavonis and Arsia Mons also seen moving over the terminator.

Mars on September 13th, 2007. Dia=8.69". Mare Sirenum prominent. Propontis visible. Olympus Mons seen as a dark spot appearing at the terminator.

Mars on September 12th, 2007. Dia=8.64". Mare Sirenum prominent. Propontis visible. Olympus Mons seen as a dark spot appearing at the terminator.

Mars on September 11th, 2007. Dia=8.59". Mare Cimmerium/Sirenum prominent, with Gomer Sinus protrusions well seen. Hyblaeus extension visible. Cerberus II visible. Trivium-Cerberus dots visible. Propontis appearing over the terminator.

Mars on September 9th, 2007. Dia=8.50". Mare Cimmerium prominent, with Gomer Sinus protrusions well seen. Hyblaeus extension visible. Cerberus II visible. Trivium-Cerberus dots visible.

Mars on September 8th, 2007. Dia=8.46". Mare Cimmerium prominent, with Gomer Sinus protrusions well seen. Hyblaeus extension visible. Cerberus II visible. Trivium-Cerberus dots visible.

Mars on September 6th, 2007. Dia=8.36". Mare Cimmerium prominent, with Gomer Sinus protrusions well seen. Hyblaeus extension weakly visible. Cerberus II visible.

Mars on September 4th, 2007. Dia=8.28". Poor seeing. Syrtis Major prominent. Hellas is again very bright. Hesperia is dusky. Cerberus II seen - revived in appearance post storm.

Mars on August 30th, 2007. Dia=8.06". Syrtis Major central and quite prominent. Hellas is very bright.

Mars on August 27th, 2007. Dia=7.95". Sinus Meridiani is visible along with dust clouds in Chryse. Syrtis Major appearing. Hellas is bright near the terminator. Markings still of low contrast due to airborne dust.

Mars on August 25th, 2007. Dia=7.91". Sinus Meridiani is visible along with dust clouds in Chryse. Hellas is bright near the terminator. Markings still of low contrast due to airborne dust.

Mars on August 25th, 2007. Dia=7.87". Sinus Meridiani is visible along with dust clouds in Chryse. Hellas is bright near the terminator. Markings still of low contrast due to airborne dust.

Mars on August 17th, 2007. Dia=7.58". Solis Lacus and Aurorae Sinus are visible with Juventae Fons also apparent. Argyre is dusty. Dust still obscuring Solis Lacus in places, and generally reducing global transparency. Note Solis Lacus has changed from its pre-storm appearance.

Mars on August 11th, 2007. Dia=7.38". Mare Sirenum is seen along with the edge of Solis Lacus/Phasis. All Tharsis volacones (Arsia, Pavonis, Ascraeus and Olympus Mons) are all visible as dark spots due to airborne dust increasing the albedo. Dust still obscuring Solis Lacus in places, and generally reducing global transparency.

Mars on August 10th, 2007. Dia=7.35". Mare Sirenum is seen. Olympus Mons is seen as a prominent dark spot. Arsia Mons is also seen as a dark spot. Airborne dust significantly reducing transparency.

Mars on August 7th, 2007. Dia=7.26". Mare Sirenum is seen. Olympus Mons is seen at the terminator as a dark spot. Airborne dust significantly reducing transparency.

Mars on August 5th, 2007. Dia=7.20". Mare Cimmerium/Mare Sirenum are seen. Airborne dust significantly reducing transparency.

Mars on August 3rd, 2007. Dia=7.14". Mare Cimmerium is seen. Airborne dust significantly reducing transparency.

Mars on August 1st, 2007. Dia=7.08". Mare Cimmerium is seen. Note the projections at Gomer Sinus despite D=7". Airborne dust significantly reducing transparency.