ALPO observations of the 2003 apparition of Mars
Abstract
The South Polar Cap (SPC) of Mars was larger during the early Martian spring of 2003 than in 1924, 1939, 1956 and 1988. Maps of the SPC were made at 4° increments of Ls and these reveal how the cap shrunk during spring. Three regional dust storms developed in July (2), and Dec., and four local storms probably developed in Aug. and Sep. near the SPC. Polarization measurements show that the Dec. storm had not settled until Jan. 23. The selected normalized magnitudes of Mars are: B(1,0)=0.01, V(1,0)=-1.45, R(1,0)=-2.60 and I(1.0)=-3.06.
- Publication:
-
Journal of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers, the Strolling Astronomer
- Pub Date:
- October 2004
- Bibcode:
- 2004JALPO..46d..28S
- Keywords:
-
- Mars: Observations