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Mars 2020-11-12 - Bright Albedo Feature NE of Valles Marineris

Started by BQ Octantis , Nov 12 2020 07:48 AM

dslr Maksutov planet astrophotography

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360 replies to this topic

#1 BQ Octantis

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Posted 12 November 2020 - 07:48 AM

G'day all,

It was bloody hot at nightfall, but the forecast was for still air. So it was windy, with the outback winds enveloping me like hot blasts from a furnace. But at least the winds kept the kamikaze mozzies and light-drawn flying things to a minimum. The metallic hissing of the cicadas was nowhere near its finale at nightfall, and between gusts, they droned on loudly over the hum of the numerous aircon units around me.

I wasn't feeling the planets. Jupiter, while clear, was quite tame, and Saturn has been quite still (for me and my 7-in aperture) since 2018. So I eyeballed Mars for a bit. The transparency was good and the seeing was decent, but I already gave Mars some serious shooting last night. I was about to call it a night when I realized I was looking at Valles Marineris, and there was a very bright blob of high albedo something to its northeast. It looked akin to Hellas basin in the wrong spot, so I suspected a dust storm. So I bit the bullet and shot it:

Skywatcher Mak 180, Fujiyama 12.5mm ortho, Canon 600D/T3i, 64 frames

Has anyone shot this recently?

BQ

Edited by BQ Octantis, 12 November 2020 - 04:13 PM.

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#2 BQ Octantis

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Posted 12 November 2020 - 08:18 AM

Here's a bit more detail:

BQ

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#3 Kiwi Paul

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Posted 12 November 2020 - 01:53 PM

Hi BQ,
yes I imaged it last evening with my C8. As soon as I saw the image on screen I like you thought it looked like Hellas but in the wrong place! I posted an image under another current thread A new local dust storm (again?) but will repost the image here tomed at 202011120844 UTC.
i will out again this evening but the low level flow is expected to increase so expect the seeing will deteriorate.

I have more images I will process today.

Cheers Paul

Edited by Kiwi Paul, 12 November 2020 - 01:58 PM.

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#4 BQ Octantis

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Posted 12 November 2020 - 04:17 PM

Bloody ripper catch, mate! I caught the edge of it the evening before, but the spot was already rotated too far into the midday sun to get much contrast above the surroundings. I was pondering who east of me would have gotten a better look and hoped a Kiwi had shot it!

Looks like it dissipated over a day…

BQ

Edited by BQ Octantis, 12 November 2020 - 04:17 PM.

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#5 Kiwi Paul

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Posted 12 November 2020 - 04:43 PM

Bloody ripper catch, mate! I caught the edge of it the evening before, but the spot was already rotated too far into the midday sun to get much contrast above the surroundings. I was pondering who east of me would have gotten a better look and hoped a Kiwi had shot it!

Looks like it dissipated over a day…

BQ

Yes, I was lucky. It will be interesting to see what is left of it this evening since you think it is or has dissipated. If it has dissipated then I guess conditions are right for more to occur. Will keep a watch out.

I'm keen to see what my other pics look like.

Cheers Paul

Edited by Kiwi Paul, 12 November 2020 - 04:45 PM.

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#6 Visit-the-Moon

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Posted 12 November 2020 - 04:58 PM

Good one. Must be a dust storm. We've had cloudy weather again so can't watch the weather on Mars!

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#7 BQ Octantis

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Posted 13 November 2020 - 03:20 AM

Here's a toggle with the night before:

It's looking clear and stable over the Red Centre again tonight!

BQ

Edited by BQ Octantis, 13 November 2020 - 03:33 AM.

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#8 Kiwi Paul

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Posted 13 November 2020 - 04:51 AM

BQ it will be interesting to see what you will find tonight. I have clear skies but low level winds here that have destroyed the seeing.

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#9 Lacaille

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Posted 13 November 2020 - 04:54 AM

Hi guys, imaging that aspect right now in RGB and I think it’s still there!

Might be signs in the feed of dust in the valleys.

More tomorrow after processing.

Mark

Edited by Lacaille, 13 November 2020 - 05:00 AM.

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#10 BQ Octantis

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Posted 13 November 2020 - 05:13 AM

Hi guys, imaging that aspect right now in RGB and I think it’s still there!

Might be signs in the feed of dust in the valleys.

More tomorrow after processing.

Mark

This is excellent news…I was hoping one of those monster apertures to my east were on it!

It's still not dark yet for me…20 minutes…

BQ

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#11 Kiwi Paul

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Posted 13 November 2020 - 05:20 AM

I am really looking forward to your findings tonight. Good luck. (Its unbelievable here with quite strong winds whining with a clear sky!!)
Cheers Paul

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#12 BQ Octantis

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Posted 13 November 2020 - 05:46 AM

Bloody hell…it's transiting now!!!

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#13 Kiwi Paul

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Posted 13 November 2020 - 05:53 AM

Has it grown in size?
Paul

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#14 Lacaille

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Posted 13 November 2020 - 06:56 AM

Hi all,

Just a quick aperitif from tonight's session (13 Nov 2020 at 1031 UTC) - this was a quick processing from a single colour video with 462MC before the clouds rolled in and with the collimation a bit out. Tomorrow I will process the RGB videos which should be better.

You can see what seem to be two plumes of dust heading North around Lunae Planum and dust has settled in the Valles Marineris creating the two bright gashes.

Best regards

Mark

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#15 Jeff B1

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Posted 13 November 2020 - 07:06 AM

Some dust streaks developed in Chryse and moving south, This very same dust formation occurs often during this Mars season. See: https://dustymars.ne...ing_Mars_6.html

Edited by Jeff B1, 13 November 2020 - 07:07 AM.

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#16 BQ Octantis

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Posted 13 November 2020 - 07:42 AM

Some dust streaks developed in Chryse and moving south, This very same dust formation occurs often during this Mars season. See: https://dustymars.ne...ing_Mars_6.html

"What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun."

Makes me wonder why I bother!

BQ

"For in much wisdom is much grief, And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow."

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#17 Kiwi Paul

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Posted 13 November 2020 - 07:48 AM

Wow. Spectacular Mark. Thanks for posting. Look forward to seeing the rest of your data.
Cheers Paul

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#18 BQ Octantis

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Posted 13 November 2020 - 08:47 AM

Hi all,

Just a quick aperitif from tonight's session (13 Nov 2020 at 1031 UTC) - this was a quick processing from a single colour video with 462MC before the clouds rolled in and with the collimation a bit out. Tomorrow I will process the RGB videos which should be better.

<...snip...>

That's one wicked dust storm!

BQ

Edited by BQ Octantis, 13 November 2020 - 05:38 PM.

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#19 cometcatcher

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Posted 13 November 2020 - 10:07 AM

It looks like I was a day early. This from 11-11 from Mackay along the east coast at 0932UT. 10" at F16 with an SV305.

Edited by cometcatcher, 13 November 2020 - 10:11 AM.

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#20 Jeff B1

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Posted 13 November 2020 - 10:18 AM

"What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun."

Makes me wonder why I bother!

BQ

"For in much wisdom is much grief, And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow."

Typical Mars weather.