CarlosEH
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/19/05
Posts: 4142
Loc: Pembroke Pines, Broward County...
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I was able to make my first observation of Mars on July 20, 2009 (10:15 U.T.) using my 9-inch (23-cm) F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain. I was excited to observe the red planet once again after the last opposition. I hope to follow Mars as much as possible.
Date (U.T.): July 20, 2009
Time (U.T.): 10:15
CM: 213.4*W
Ls: 306.7* (Mid-Martian Northern Winter/Southern Summer)
De:-7.1*, Ds: -19.6*, Phase 92%, Diameter: 5.2 arc-seconds
Instrument: 9-inch (23-cm) F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 379x
Filters (Wratten): 23A (Light Red)
Seeing(1-10): 5-6, Antoniadi (I-V): III
Transparency (1-6): 2/6 (Dawn)
Notes:
The South Polar Region (SPR) appears to be obscured by a very bright to extremely bright (8-9/10) haze. Mare Cimmerium appears dark to dusky (3-4/10) towards the south-preceding (Sp) limb. Electris, Eridania, and Ausonia appear dusky to bright (4-7/10). Zephyria, Aeolis, and Aethiopis appear bright (7/10). Amazonis and Arcadia appear mottled and dusky to shaded (4-6/10). Elysium, Aetheria, Libya, Cebrenia, and Panchaia appear bright (7/10). Syrtis Major appears as a thin, dusky (4/10) streak along the following limb and partially obscured by a very bright to extremely bright (8-9/10) morning limb haze (MLH). The North Polar Cap (NPC) appears brilliant (10/10) along the northern limb.
I was unable to make an observation of Mars using a blue (Wratten 38A) due to excessive sky lighting.
A digital image produced in Photoshop CS3. The best of luck in your observations of Mars.
Carlos
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 Special Ed
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/03
Posts: 4306
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Carlos,
Excellent and detailed observation and sketch of tiny Mars. 
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Michael Rosolina
8" f/10 Orange Tube SCT
4.25" f/4.2 Astroscan Reflector
SVP 3.6" f/13.6 CA Reflector
40mm PST f/10
APM Germany HD 15x70 binoculars
Canon 12x36 IS II binoculars
Mark I Eyeball
My CN Gallery
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frank5817
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 4093
Loc: Illinois
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Carlos,
A very impressive sketch with much detail.   I make a point of waiting until the Martian disk is at least 6" before I even take a look. Maybe I should be more optimistic.
Frank 
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my gallery
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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Posts: 4551
Loc: Jacumba, California
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Carlos,
This is what an observation is all about!  The 5.2 arc second size of the gibbous disk is tough enough, but you have such a discerning eye that you've caught an amazing variation in subtle detail. Your color is spot on and the limb haze is just superb. And all this with Antoniadi III seeing! Carlos, this is a great sketch and excellent observation report! 
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Rich
My CN Gallery
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cildarith
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/26/04
Posts: 2357
Loc: San Diego, CA
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Well done, Carlos! It is always a delight to see your observations of the red planet!
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Eric
6" f/6 Parks Newtonian
10x50 Bushnell Binocs
CN Sketch Gallery||MinDat Mineral Gallery
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CarlosEH
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/19/05
Posts: 4142
Loc: Pembroke Pines, Broward County...
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Eric, Frank, Michael, and Rich
Thank you for the compliments on my first Mars observation this apparition. I was excited to be observing Mars once again. This apparition (opposition) marks my 20th observing Mars (namely 40 years) since I first pointed a 1-inch refractor at it in 1969 (same as the anniversary of the first lunar landing (Apollo 11) in 1969). I hope to make many observations of Mars this apparition. I look forward to other observations of it as well.
Happy Mars Observing!
Carlos
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Kris.
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 09/16/04
Posts: 1276
Loc: Belgium
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Carlos, beautiful sketch, what a way to get your 20th mars opposition going 
the first view of the new mars season is something special, to you as well probably 
You managed to include a lot of detail, and the seeing wasn't even that superb! i hope to see a lot more of your sketches here!
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Kris
To be old & wise, you first gotta be young & stupid
8" dob
AstroTech 66ED/APO
TAL 120 newt.
my CN sketch & picture gallery
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CarlosEH
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/19/05
Posts: 4142
Loc: Pembroke Pines, Broward County...
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Kris,
Thank you for the compliment on my Mars observation. The albedo features detected were not all visible throughout the observing session. Some were noted when the seeing steadied for brief moments. The seeing improved as the planet rose in the dawn sky. I hope to observe it again soon. The best of luck in your own observations.
Carlos
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Shannon s
super member
Reged: 06/21/09
Posts: 139
Loc: Bartow FL.
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Great sketch, Carlos. This reminds me of the closest approach on was it 03 or 04? Anyway had just bought a 5" Mak. Took it out every night to see Mars. One night got a nice view of the polar cap, the rest of my viewing was disturbed by dust storms. Once again, great work!
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4.5" & 12" Reflectors
5" Maksutov
Astroview mount
Orion SSDSI
7x50 Binos
A box of Eps
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CarlosEH
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/19/05
Posts: 4142
Loc: Pembroke Pines, Broward County...
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Shannon,
Thank you for the compliment on my Mars observation. I also remember the great views of Mars in 2003. I hope that we can all follow Mars in the future without interference from a dust storm. The best of luck observing Mars.
Carlos
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rolandlinda3
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/24/06
Posts: 2233
Loc: Crozet VA 22932
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I agree with the others! What a good sketch for a hard target to get detail!
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Roland
Sketches in members galleries: rolandlinda3
Inspirational stories/sketches at:
www.christworksministries.org
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CarlosEH
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/19/05
Posts: 4142
Loc: Pembroke Pines, Broward County...
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Roland,
Thank you for the compliment on my Mars observation. It was a hard target but well worth the effort. I look forward to your future observations.
Carlos
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Tommy5
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/28/04
Posts: 1823
Loc: Chicagoland
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Wow great sketch of the early morning mars,very nice detail after 20 years of observing you have a great eye for detail congrads.
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CarlosEH
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/19/05
Posts: 4142
Loc: Pembroke Pines, Broward County...
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Tommy,
Thank you for the compliment on my Mars observation. I too was impressed with the amount of detail visible at the present diameter. I hope to make many more observations of the red planet.
I am on my 20th Mars apparition (opposition) which adds up to 40 years of observing the red planet!
The best of luck observing Mars.
Carlos
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Jaycin
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/09/06
Posts: 2146
Loc: Oregon, USA
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Carlos,
Once again you have created a Martian Masterpiece! Well done!!!
The only regret I have about moving to Oregon is that I never had the opportunity to observe with you before I left Florida. Keep up the spectacular work!
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Jason
Zhumell 8" Dobsonian
60mm Meade Telestar
Sketching the Cosmos
Messier countdown: 102 down, 8 to go! 
Salem, Oregon
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CarlosEH
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/19/05
Posts: 4142
Loc: Pembroke Pines, Broward County...
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Jason,
Thank you for the compliment on my Mars observation. I was happy to be observing Mars once again. I also an sorry that we did not get to observe together before you moved to Oregon. I hope that you get to observe in Oregon soon.
Carlos
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