Visibility III / V
The opposition of Mars is already looming about two months away. So it's a good time to start observing Mars! My first visual observation of Mars since opposition 2020. The angular diameter of Mars is still small (at the time of observation about 13.1"), but on the Ulvila observatory's Celestron (280/2800 mm) details were still moderately distinguished, even though the seeing was only average and Mars was only at an altitude of 17 degrees. By comparing my observation and my drawing with the Mars map, I was able to state that I have seen at least Syrtis Major and the plain of Hellas. The plain of Hellas is the light area seen at the top of Mars. According to the Virtual Planet Atlas, Mars is now in such a position relative to Earth that the polar regions of Mars are not very very visible. That's why the polar caps were not visible. The phase of Mars at the time of observation was 89.5%.
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