[AZ-Observing] Solis Lacus

The eye of Mars is upon us. Solis Lacus was prominent along the central 
meridian, Sunday night. Thanks to a break in the monsoonal cloud cover, I was 
able 
to observe the red planet at 06:10 UT on August 24. The seeing was middling, 
so I was limited to 247X in my 10-inch, f/4.5 Newtonian.

Popularly referred to as the Eye of Mars, this roundish feature serves as the 
iris of the Martian eye. It is surrounded by Syria, Claritas, Thaumasia and 
Sinai, all lighter in tone than the dark Solis Lacus. Mare Erythraeum and 
Aurorae Sinus border to the east toward the preceding limb. Bosporus bridges 
the 
expanse from Mare Erythraeum to Pontica and Aonius Sinus to the south.

A subtle finger-like albedo feature points from Aonius Sinus to the north and 
east. This is Araxes. A darker finger extends from Aurorae Sinus toward the 
central meridian to the west. This finger passes just north of Solis Lacus. 
Taken together, this conglomeration of dark and light markings forms the Eye of 
Mars.

The South Polar Cap continues to diminish in size, but still blazes brightly 
white. Its dark collar has been exchanged for something less gaudy, a smoky 
gray ring which edges the frozen carbon dioxide wasteland. The North Polar 
Hood, 
a layer of clouds shrouding the polar cap, appears as a subtle brightening 
along the northern limb. Portions of Niliacus Lacus and Xanthe are visible 
immediately to the east. The remainder of the disk looks barren. If not for the 
rich fleshtone hue, it might remind one of the Earth's Moon.

This is Mars at his biggest and best, the god of war reigning over the waning 
summer sky: http://hometown.aol.com/billferris/mars082503.html

Bill Ferris
"Cosmic Voyage: The Online Resource for Amateur Astronomers"
URL: http://www.cosmic-voyage.net





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