Astronomy from Mars.

3488 · Jul 12, 2006

The north celestial pole on Mars is near enough slap bang in the middle of Deneb (Alpha Cygni) & Alderamin (Alpha Cephei). Deneb is 18 degrees & 18 minutes away from the Mars Celestial north pole. Star map of Martian north celestial polar region. Circle is 10 degrees wide. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

3488 · Jul 12, 2006

Other polar stars: Earth : Polaris / Alpha Ursae Majoris (north) Sigma Octantis (south). The Moon: 37 Draconis (north) Epsilon Doradus (south). Mars: Deneb / Alpha Cygni & Alderamin / Alpha Cephei (north) Delta Velorum & Kappa Velorum (south). Saturn & Titan: Polaris / Alpha Ursae Majoris (north, 6 degrees away) Delta Octantis (south). Uranus: Sabik / Eta Ophiuchi (north) 15 Orionis (south). The main moons of Uranus (Puck, Miranda, Ariel, Umbriel, Titania & Oberon) share these. Neptune: Delta Cygni (north) Noas / Zeta Puppis (south). Triton: Gamma Sagittae (north) 11 Puppis (south). Pluto & Charon: 18 Delphini (north) 15 Hydrae (south). The moons Nix & Hydra will probably share these as they orbit Pluto in the same plane as Charon. Ineresting to see how the polar points of Earth & Saturn are very similar & those of Mars & Neptune. Hope this is of some interest. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

thalion · Jul 14, 2006

Great info, 3488. Thanks for posting it!

rfoshaug · Jul 14, 2006

This is one of the best threads in a long while. Thanks for posting, 3488! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ----------------------------------My minds have many opinions </div>

3488 · Jul 14, 2006

When I have time, I will get the polar stars for Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, the Galileans & will finish checking the Saturn system particularly Iapetus & Phoebe, as their polar points will be different. I hope that both rovers will be able to continue Astronomy from Mars along side their primary missions. I am glad that people are interested in this. Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

JonClarke · Jul 14, 2006

Hi Andrew Since this thread has branched out across the solar system do you (does anyone?) know what southern hemisphere stars will eith a pole star with the precession of the equinoxes? Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars Arthur Clarke </div>

3488 · Jul 14, 2006

I am afraid that I do not know about this, other than for the Earth. I understand that the rotational axis of Mars alters a great deal over thousands of years, due to the lack of a large moon (Phobos & Deimos are just far too small). <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

JonClarke · Jul 14, 2006

Sorry I was unclear. I actually meant what stars were going to become a south pol start for earth (since we had wandered OT enough i thought it OK to ask this!) Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars Arthur Clarke </div>

3488 · Jul 17, 2006

Excerpts from Sky & Telescope, August 2006. Phobos coming out of eclipse. Westward facing view during Dawn twilight. Note how the twilight was already bright enough to show rocks on the landscape. Mars Exploration Rover A Spirit. December 2005. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

3488 · Jul 17, 2006

Excerpts from Sky & Telescope, August 2006. Deimos going into eclipse. Mars Exploration Rover A Spirit. December 2005. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

3488 · Jul 17, 2006

Excerpts from Sky & Telescope, August 2006. Large Magellanic Cloud from Mars, some 160,000 light years from our Solar System. The MER A Spirit image clearly shows the shape of the LMC during this crystal clear night in the Columbia Hills, Gusev Crater on Mars. Most of the trailed stars seen here belong to the constellations of Dorado the Swordfish & Mensa the Table. Note how they trail in a different manner than they would from Earth, as the rotational axis of Mars points in a different direction. Mars Exploration Rover A Spirit. December 2005. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

3488 · Jul 18, 2006

Completion of my earlier list. Other polar stars: Mercury: Omicron Draconis (north) Alpha Pictoris (south). Venus: 42 Draconis (north) Eta 1 Doradus (south). Earth : Polaris / Alpha Ursae Majoris (north) Sigma Octantis (south). The Moon: 37 Draconis (north) Epsilon Doradus (south). Mars: Deneb / Alpha Cygni & Alderamin / Alpha Cephei (north) Delta Velorum & Kappa Velorum (south). Phobos & Deimos both share these. Jupiter: 36 Draconis (north) Delta Doradus (south). Amalthea, Thebe, Io, Europa, Ganymede & Callisto share these. Saturn & Titan: Polaris / Alpha Ursae Majoris (north, 6 degrees away) Delta Octantis (south). Mimas, Enceladus, Telesto, Tethys, Dione & Rhea share these. Iapetus: 73 Draconis (north) Eta Volantis (south). Phoebe: Omicron Cephei (north) Lambda Muscae (south). Hyperion does not have a stable axis, so is therefore tumbling, thus does not have a 'polar star' as such. Uranus: Sabik / Eta Ophiuchi (north) 15 Orionis (south). The main moons of Uranus (Puck, Miranda, Ariel, Umbriel, Titania & Oberon) share these. Neptune: Delta Cygni (north) Noas / Zeta Puppis (south). Triton: Gamma Sagittae (north) 11 Puppis (south). Pluto & Charon: 18 Delphini (north) 15 Hydrae (south). The moons Nix & Hydra will probably share these as they orbit Pluto in the same plane as Charon. Ineresting to see how the polar points of Earth & Saturn are very similar & those of Mars & Neptune. Hope this is of some interest. I think that this more complete list should be of some interest. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

3488 · Jul 20, 2006

Jon Clarke. Hope this will help. Note how in 12,000 years time, the yellow supergiant Canopus (Alpha Carinae) will be your south polar star. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

JonClarke · Jul 20, 2006

Thank you! Does my favourite star, Archenar, ever become a pole star? Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars Arthur Clarke </div>

3488 · Jul 20, 2006

Achernar (Alpha Eridani), the very fast rotator (its equatorial diameter is about 50% larger than the polar diameter. Interferometer measures show the star to be distinctively flattened, the result of a minimum 225 kilometer-per- second rotation speed. The minor and major axes are respectively measured to be 7.6 by 11.8 Suns across). Distance 144 light years from our Solar System & 2,900 times more luminous than the sun. Yes it was about 3,500 years ago (1500 BC) & will be again in about 23,000 years time. By the way, I have to ask, why is Achernar your favourite star? Graphic of Achernar below. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

JonClarke · Jul 21, 2006

Thank you! if I had waited until yoiur image was approved i would have realised that. What Archenar? When I was doing my PhD I spent a lot of time by myself in the desert about 7 hours due north of the city I lived in. At the end of the trip I would back up mid afternoon and head the 4WD south. Most of the trip was in the dark and the times of year I did field work Archenar looked like it was at the end of the road, pointing the way home to my wife <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars Arthur Clarke </div>

3488 · Jul 21, 2006

That is a nice story Jon. I have only ever seen Achernar once myself, when it very briefly rose above the desert in Tunisia. From the UK it never rises at all. I have seen Canopus on a number of ocassions from the Canary Islands, China, Tunisia & Egypt, but once again, Canopus never rises at all from the UK. By strange co-incidence, at this time of year at about 11:00 PM, the sky above my home town (just above the 51st parallel) is similar to that from the north pole of Mars as the midway point between Deneb & Alderamin passes almost overhead. Thank you for sharing that with us Jon. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

JonClarke · Jul 21, 2006

Those were the trips when on freezing cold nights I could read Rey's star charts and learn the constellations. There would not be a soul for 50 km in any direction. I would generally be away for several weeks at a stretch. When my wife came off a block of shifts and had 4-5 days off she would drive up and join me. In her case it would be the light of the camp fire that she would follow, not the stars. All great fun! Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars Arthur Clarke </div>

3488 · Nov 1, 2006

Image below shows the Sundial on MER A Spirit, taken @ 12:22 PM local time in Gusev Crater, Sol 993. The sun is certainly coming up higher now & that shadow is somewhat shorter than just a little while ago. Hopefully soon, there will be enough power to drive Spirit a short distance. Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

3488 · Jan 5, 2007

Post deleted by 3488 <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

3488 · Jan 5, 2007

Post deleted by 3488 <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

JonClarke · Jan 5, 2007

Hi Andrew Why is Earth's analemma figure eight shaped but that of Mars a tear drop? Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars Arthur Clarke </div>

3488 · Jan 8, 2007

Hi Jon, The reason appears to be that the orbit of Mars is more eccentric than Earth's & the fact the the Solstices & Perihelion / Aphelion points are further away from each other than they are for Earth (On Earth as you already know, the Earth reaches Aphelion & Perihelion in July & January just after the June & December solstices). On Mars, this is still broadly true, but the Aphelion / Perihelion on Mars are a lot closer to the Equinoxes (the equivalent of late February & late August on Earth). This does not allow for the figure 8 analemma to form as it does for the Earth, but rather as a tear drop analemma instead to form. Whilst both analemma form for the same reasons, the outcome however is different. I hope my ramblings make some sense. Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

brellis · Jan 20, 2007

from the MER site: Opportunity was scheduled to take a picture of comet McNaught on the morning of the rover's 1,063rd sol, or Martian day, of Mars exploration (Jan. 20, 2007). Early on in this GREAT thread, there were some pics from MGS. Have any Mars Orbiters turned skyward once in orbit? Seems like a cool idea. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> I'm a recovering optimist - things could be better. </div>

3488 · Jan 22, 2007

Hi there, Tried to find Comet McNaught on the Sol 1,063 AM twilight MER B Opportunity, damned if I can see it. See image below. It looks as if Spirit also was instructed to look for it too. Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

Astronomy from Mars.

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