the martian is fading.

You're right Keith, the colour is duller to me aswell.

Just processed it a little differently, to bring out more detail especially on the right side of the disk.

www.irishastronomy.org/user_resources/fi...99-mars_ia_small.jpg


www.irishastronomy.org/user_resources/fi...32961727-mar_mp2.jpg
Mars previewer2 image of mars at the same time.

Had a look at Mars again last night, it is shrinking and fading a little. it is also noticably not round anymore.


www.kerryastronomyclub.com/graphics/planets/Mars2811_0045.jpg

Not a great image, same area on view as in Dave's (superior) image above.

Interesting to note that generally the visibility of features is being noted worldwide see SkyandTelescope.com/observing/objects/pl...s/article_1612_1.asp

Michael Scully

So its beginning to show a gibbous-type phase.... interesting. Must be only for this short time that it can be seen like this? Then, shouldn't we such a similar phase prior to the opposition a couple weeks back?

Seanie.

Still a good image Michael,!
I also noticed the phasing of the shape of Mars, lets hope we can keep track of it as the next few months go on, I hope we can get at least once half decent view of it each week for the next 2 or so months.

Seanie,

Must be only for this short time that it can be seen like this?

It is about 97.5% full at the moment so it is similar to the Moon nearly a day after full. In the eyepiece, as Dave said also, it is noticable.

lets hope we can keep track of it as the next few months go on

That would be great to do that. I have eight nights of images since mid September on the KAC's planet gallery page and the more noticeable effect is the change in the size of the disk as we approach an pass the day of closest approach on the 28th/10.
A bit like the secquence that you (Dave) did for Venus last year. (that was a great set of images)

Michael.