Martian Cloud Lecture

I had the opportunity to hear Dr. David Klassen, who is in charge of
the International MarsWatch project (see
http://elvis.rowan.edu/marswatch/ ), speak about observing Martian ice
clouds (all Martian clouds are composed of ice, BTW, and as such are
somewhat similar to terrestrial high cirrus clouds) in the near IR
from Mauna Kea last night (2003/7/11) at the monthly meeting of the
Delaware Valley Amateur Astronomers (browse http://www.dvaa.org ).
It was a very timely and well-presented lecture.

During a question and answer session following his talk Dr. Klassen
stated that the so-called melt band currently visible in the SPC is
simply the Martian surface being revealed as the CO2 sublimates.

I also learned that the Rowan University web master likes to include
the names of dead rock n' roll stars in his URLs. g

Dave Mitsky

In article ,
(Dave Mitsky) wrote:

SNIP_

During a question and answer session following his talk Dr. Klassen
stated that the so-called melt band currently visible in the SPC is
simply the Martian surface being revealed as the CO2 sublimates.

SNIP_
Dave Mitsky


Hi Dave,

I think Dr. Klassen's explanation is correct, as far as it went. But it
doesn't explain why the collar has been darker during this apparition
than most.

I like the answers given by, first, David Knisely......

"The dark markings in the southern polar collar are permanent, but seem
to have greater contrast when the cap is retreating, probably due to
fine dust in the atmosphere in areas to the north of the southern cap's
edge caused by downslope winds. Clear skies to you."

And Jeff Beish......

"The band that is seen by the SPC is just dark surface material from
well known albedo features, plus some "contrast effect" when the cap is
brighter and sometime due to piles of hoary frost that change shapes
during sublimation and condensation. Too much to say here."

Personal Note:
I've missed talking to you since we no longer attend Stellafane.
Perhaps we'll meet again at WSP, or maybe you'll attend the star party
sponsored by the Rockland Astronomy Club in Savoy, MA this year. We're
trying it for the first time.

Starry Skies,
Rich