Mars on October 7, 2018
Although Mars has now dropped below 15 arcseconds in size, it still is providing
much interest and discussion. Last Monday's drawing proves the point. The South
Polar Cap is still shrinking (South is up in the drawing).
There are two current mysteries near the South Polar Cap. The first is that there
appears to be a thin spur to the left of the cap. I am not sure what it is, possibly a
bright cloud or an isolated section of the shrinking cap itself. Even more intriguing is
the light area just to the lower right of the cap. Some observers have proposed that
this is a new dust storm. I am not ready to go there yet since it is getting a bit late for
major dust storms on Mars. However, there is little doubt that something is going on
at that location.
much interest and discussion. Last Monday's drawing proves the point. The South
Polar Cap is still shrinking (South is up in the drawing).
There are two current mysteries near the South Polar Cap. The first is that there
appears to be a thin spur to the left of the cap. I am not sure what it is, possibly a
bright cloud or an isolated section of the shrinking cap itself. Even more intriguing is
the light area just to the lower right of the cap. Some observers have proposed that
this is a new dust storm. I am not ready to go there yet since it is getting a bit late for
major dust storms on Mars. However, there is little doubt that something is going on
at that location.