Contains:  Solar system body or event
The dusty south of Mars, Niall MacNeill

The dusty south of Mars

Acquisition type: Lucky imaging

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Description

Despite the low altitude of Mars (34 degrees), I knew the seeing earlier in the morning was superb, and, as I hoped, it was still good by the time Mars achieved its zenith. Mars is now up to 12 arc secs in apparent diameter.
This view shows Sinus Sabaeus at the Central Meridian and the Schiaparelli crater can be seen. Syrtis Major is on the terminator and rotating out of view. The large area of red plains to the north is Arabia Terra. The most striking thing however, is the dust storm that has been extensively observed by others in the southern regions. It seems to me that the Hellas Basin is substantially covered by dust, although its northern extremity on the f side looks brighter and is perhaps less encumbered there. A tendril looks to have made its way north towards Huygens crater at the boundary between Sinus Sabaeus and Syrtis Major. Further towards the f limb Noachis Terra is also showing significant dust activity.

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The dusty south of Mars, Niall MacNeill