A.
2022/23 Gallery Open
Dear observers, finally Mars is now visible in the morning sky in Sagittarius. In the northern hemisphere observation of the red planet is still hard for its lower altitude, but unexpectedly good quality of images for the smaller apparent diameter started to arrive from the southern hemisphere.
We are starting Mars Gallery in this apparition to show your observations. Please submit your drawings and images to the address : cmo@mars.dti.ne.jp
B. Planets at Dawn
A series of conjunctions of bright planets at dawn have continued since this spring. The last one was the conjunction of Mars and Jupiter which occurred in the western part of Pisces at the end of May 2022.
In June, Mars is prograde in Pisces, and the apparent diameter will exceed 7 arc-seconds.
Now, it is the time to start observing Mars for this close approach.
C. Occurrence of Dust Storm Similar Martian Season of 2020
Mr. Yasunobu Higa from Okinawa reported that the area between Margaritifer S and Aurorae S was brightening during the observation on September 23 GMT (λ=309°Ls). Overcast weather continued over Main Land of Japan, and no observations were confirmed. I immediately contacted every colleague and asked for confirming observation.
On the following day, the 24th (λ=310°Ls), the weather improved and images were received, indicating the spread of dust. After that, the dust activity continued, and on the 26th (λ=311°Ls), linked dust activity occurred from Deucalionis Regio to Noachis on the east side and around Solis L on the west side.
Similar to the dust event that occurred and spread near Chryse-Xanthe during the prior approach, Valles Marineris is clogged with dust and looks bright.
CMO #514 (10 April 2022) has already published an article at the following link as "Regarding Martian flares at Edom Promontorium in December 2022".
From December 3 to 7, Japan hours from evening to midnight, Edom can be seen on Mars rising in the eastern sky, and the phenomenon may be observed. The link below introduces the situation observed at that time in 2001 and the forecast time for this event. I encourage you to look at the information and plan your observations.
https://alpo-astronomy.org/jbeish/2022_MARS.htm Compare -- SPECIAL EVENTS --
https://www.kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~cmo/cmo/514/2022-23_FC04.htm (Japanese)
As of September 28, the US observations have not captured the spread beyond the east of Hellas. The western side is unknown because there is no observation from European countries.
In addition, the season is the same as that of 2005 (λ=308°Ls) and 2020 (λ=313°Ls). For the above reason, I am much interested in the event. I strongly recommend that you make the follow-up observations for the future developments.
D.
Possibility of Martian flares at Edom Promontorium
William Sheehan, who made a forecast in 2001 and succeeded in observing in Florida, informed us that the Martian flares observed by Tsuneo Saeki in July 1954 may be reproduced. It is understood as a reflection phenomenon of sunlight, and it is now predicted that it may be observed in the following period at geographical longitude including Japan where reflection conditions apply in this approach.