Rotation of Mars (Set of 3 images)


Date & Time: Apr 30 1999, 20:50, 22:32 & 23:55 JST(+0900)
image of 20:50...Composed 2 images (1 & 2sec. exposed each)
images of 22:32 & 23:55...Composed 2 images (1sec. exposed each)
Optical: TAKAHASHI 12.5cm(4.9") fluorite refractor with XP3.8mm eyepiece (f=20000mm, F160.0)
Auto-guided with GOTO MX-II Equatorial
Camera: VIXEN VX-1
Film: image of 20:50...Fujicolor Super G Ace 400
images of 22:32 & 23:55...Fujicolor Super G Ace 800
Location: Ooizumi vil., Yamanashi pref.


This set of Mars images shows you the change of surface of Mars during about 3 hours. The index of "L" in image represents the central longtitude of Mars.
You can notice a dark and huge region in the southern hemisphere; this characteristic albedo feature is called "Syrtis Major", easily seen only with small telescopes. The period of rotation of Mars is about 24 hours and 40 minutes, and the Syrtis Major is moving from east to west with the rotation.


Grand Return of Mars in 2001
Jupiter images in season of 2024

Copyright(c) 1999 by Naoyuki Kurita, All rights reserved.
To top page To Moon&Planets index