October 2018

Phases of the Moon

Venus

Venus will be in the inferior conjuction on October 26, i.e., it will be exactly between our Earth and Sun. Hence, it can be observed neither in the evening nor in the morning.

Mars Observation: Great perihelic opposition 2018

Mars is now getting higher in the sky, but it also recedes from the Earth so that its diameter shrinks. Consequently, one needs higher magnification to see the South Polar Cap (SPC) and some dark albedo features. Also the telescope should have the mirror's diameter of 20--25cm to gather enough light and to have a sufficient resolution. The dust is still spread in the atmosphere, but more and more details can be seen as the atmosphere cleans up. I was able to observe Syrtis Major, Hellas, Mare Tyrrhenum, Mare Cimmerium, Mare Sirenum and, of course, the SPC, which is very small now. It is because there is late spring in the southern hemisphere and the summer will start on October 18, so that the SPC sublimates rapidly.