Astronomy from Mars.

[3488]

Spirit Sol 1083 AM twilight.<br /><br />Looking for Comet McNaught in the predawn Martian morning sky.<br /><br />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"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".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Those intersted in Astronomy from Mars should check out the last few posts on the MRO thread in M&L. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[brellis]

Me: <font color="yellow">Have any Mars Orbiters turned skyward once in orbit?</font><br /><br />3488: Jupiter System from MRO's HiRISE Camera. Image resolution comparable to Hubble. Wow! Thanks, Andrew! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#ff0000"><em><strong>I'm a recovering optimist - things could be better.</strong></em></font> </p> </div>

 

[3488]

Hi MeteorWayne & Brellis.<br /><br />Thank You both for your re-newed interest in this thread.<br /><br />I can reveal more about the astronomy behind the amazing MRO HiRISE images of Jupiter as seen from Mars orbit.<br /><br />Jupiter reached opposition as seen from Mars on: Thursday 11th January 2007, obviously on the same date as the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter HiRISE observations.<br /><br />Jupiter was 579.75 million kilometres away from Mars at the time.<br /><br />Jupiter as seen from Mars was in Scorpius the Scorpion just west of Graffias / Beta Scorpii near the border with Libra the Scales. <br /><br />Jupiter blazed at magnitude -2.85 & was 50.9 arc seconds across.<br /><br />All four Galilean moons would have been visible to the naked eye, about fifth magnitude.<br /><br />Also Mars reaches an Equinox on Thursday 8th February 2007, Autumn arrives in the Northern Hemisphere & Spring arrives in the South. So both MER's will be soon having Martian Spring.<br /><br />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"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".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Ahhh, Spring on Mars for the MER's. I'll put that on my calendar!! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[3488]

Sol 1103. Sundial on MER A Spirit.<br /><br />Mars northern Autumn Equinox / southern Spring Equinox (Sun in front of Taurus the Bull as seen from Mars).<br /><br />Thursday 8th February 2007.<br /><br />Andrew Brown.<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"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".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>

 

[3488]

For those who have contributed to ther Picture's from the surface of......thread,<br />you may be interested in this thread too.<br /><br />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"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".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>

 

[portercc]

As we "approach and pass" opposition, I would like to see how the earth/moon (cresent) system appears from HiRISE. <br />

 

[3488]

Post deleted by 3488 <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"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".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Just have to careful. Miss by a few degrees and the detector is fried.<br /><br />That's why the Hubble has some very wide "no point" zones around the sun.<br />I read it once a long time ago..I'll see if I can find out. Something like 30 degrees??<br /><br />One mistake is fatal to the imager, so it pays to be VERY conservative.<br /><br />MW <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Here I found it:<br /><br />STIS Observations of Comet Hale-Bopp <br />STIS first observed Hale-Bopp on 27 August 1997, which is when the comet emerged from the HST solar exclusion zone. <font color="orange"> (HST could not observe Hale-Bopp earlier in 1997 because the angle between the sun and the comet was smaller than 50 degrees and pointing HST that close to the sun could damage the telescope and/or its instruments.) </font><br /><br />So the HST can't come within 50 degrees of the sun. I would suspect the exclusion zone would be smaller for HiRise, but not enough to see any planets inward from mars.<br /><br />Next project is to find out what the maximum elongation of the earth is from Mars, and what the solar exclusion zone would be for HiRise.<br /><br />Sorry to be practical and all that <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> It would be fun to see <img src="/images/icons/cool.gif" /><br /><br />MW<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[3488]

Yes that is very true.<br /><br />This was why the Jupiter observation was made when Jupiter<br />was at opposition as seen from Mars, back in January 2007.<br /><br />Below Jupiter from MRO HiRISE.<br /><br />Thursday 11th January 2007. <br /><br /><br />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"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".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>

 

[3488]

Jupiter system from MRO HiRISE.<br /><br />Thursday 11th January 2007.<br /><br />I think thats it for another day, I am off to the land of sleepy nod!!!<br /><br />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"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".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

I hate to sound like a broken record, but I sure will be glad when you're a solar system. The suspense just KILLS me <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[3488]

I think it is still quite a long time away yet.<br /><br />Those images have already been seen before, but I still love them.<br /><br />Thanks for your ongoing support MeteorWayne.<br /><br />I hope that you are having a good day.<br /><br />I am off to bed now, good night MeteorWayne.<br /><br />Talk to you again later.<br /><br />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"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".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>

 

[yevaud]

Those two images are overlarge; I can't approve them. Please resize them down to no more than700*700, and repost them. Thanks. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis:  </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>

 

[portercc]

AB and MW, thank you for spending the evening discussing my image wish list. I believe it was Apollo 12 that fried their camera by accidently pointing it at the sun.

 

[3488]

Post deleted by 3488 <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"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".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>

 

[3488]

Thanks Yevaud. <br /><br />I keep making that mistake. <img src="/images/icons/blush.gif" /> <br /><br />Hi portercc, <br /><br />Yes, it was Apollo 12. That is why there is precious little film<br />during Apollo 12's EVA's, lots of good still pictures though.<br /><br />The video camera accidentally was pointed at the Sun.<br /><br />Telescopic simulation of Earth & Moon from Mars on Thursday 1st November 2007. <br /><br />A nice pair of very slim crescents. <br /><br />Andrew Brown. <br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"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".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>

 

[3488]

Telescopic simulation of Earth & Moon from Mars on Saturday 2nd February 2008. <br /><br />A nice pair of very slim crescents (again). <br /><br />Andrew Brown. <br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"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".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>

 

[portercc]

Yes, I was watching the Apollo 12's EVA when the camera was damaged...very disappointing.<br />I can understand not wanting to risk HiRISE for a family portrait. I know some of the Mars team can occasionally get a little confused between meters and feet...so why risk it.<br />Thanks for the two views!

 

[3488]

I am relinking some Astronomy from Mars images here.<br /><br />I have noticed this thread is still widely viewed so thought I may revive it.<br /><br />MER B Opportunity Sol 45 Phobos eclipsing the Sun. The irregular shape of Phobos is <br />clearly visible against the Sun.<br /><br /> MER B Opportunity Sol 709 Phobos eclipsing the Sun. The irregular shape of Phobos is <br />clearly visible against the Sun. This is the only time as yet, that the entire profile of<br />Phobos has been seen against the Sun.<br /><br /> MER A Spirit Phobos & Deimos in Taurus.<br /><br /> MER A Spirit Sol 590 Phobos & Deimos in Taurus the Bull.<br /><br /> MER A Spirit Sol 594 Phobos, Deimos & Aldebaran time lapse.<br /><br /> MER A Spirit Sol 675 Phobos passing into the shadow of Mars.<br /><br /> MER A Spirit Phobos & Deimos north of Sagittarius. <br /><br /> MER A Spirit Sol 632 Orion the Hunter various exposures. Note how Orion trails differently than from <br />Earth, due to the different polar alignment.<br /><br /> MER A Spirit Sol 632 Orion the Hunter.<br /><br />http://img207.image</safety_wrapper <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"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".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>

 

[dragon04]

Those are some <b>awesome</b> images, Andrew!<br /><br />Big time WOW factor. Thanks for posting them! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em>"2012.. Year of the Dragon!! Get on the Dragon Wagon!".</em> </div>

 

[3488]

You are very welcome Dragon04.<br /><br />I think the fact that we can do this kind of Astronomy from Mars now is pretty cool.<br /><br />Phobos & Deimos passing in front of familiar constellations is really weird, <br />particularly Taurus, not to mention the weird solar eclipses, with mis shapen Phobos<br />showing its weird shape.<br /><br />I forgot this one: Earth as Morning Star on Sol 63, MER A Spirit. The Earth was at magnitude -1.63<br />in the constellation of Libra. The Sun was still about an hour away from rising in Ophiuchus.<br /><br />Labled here.<br /><br />Andrew Brown <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"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".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>

 

[3488]

This streak was seen in the Martian predawn sky, on Sol 63 approx two hours <br />before Sunrise by MER A Spirit. <br /><br />This was the same morning that the Earth was seen as a Morning Star, although at this point <br />Earth had not quite risen yet.<br /><br />Two options. <br /><br />1). Could be the long silent Viking 2 Orbiter. This observation may well be that <br />of the Viking 2 Orbiter catching the morning Sun, whilst close to Periareion. It is <br />suggested that the 'object' moved four degrees in 15 seconds,<br />a close match for the Viking 2 orbiter.<br /><br />2). Another, possibly more likely explanation is the first ever meteor (shooting star) seen from the<br />surface of the Red Planet.<br /><br />This could have been part of a meteor shower whose parent body is Comet 114P/Wiseman-Skiff. <br /><br />Because the radiant is in the constellation Cepheus, this meteor shower could be called the <br />Martian "Cepheids", as the radiant for this suspected Martian Meteor Shower is <br />in Cepheus. The timing is perfect, as this was at the peak of that suspected meteor shower<br />& the direction of the streak, also points towards Cepheus, although of course<br />the image does not reveal the direction of travel of the streak.<br /><br />So any one's guess, 1 or 2?<br /><br />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"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".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>