A rewarding imaging session of Mars.

Albedo features on the red planet are slowly becoming more visible. However, the planet now started to recede away from Earth. At the time of imaging, the diameter was 24.3" at the equator.

The IR pass filter is showing us some more detail. We can see the bright Hellas area at 11 o'clock, the south polar cap at 12 o'clock (with the lateral streak somewhat visible), and Sinus meridiani promontory in the center. Arabia is the huge expanse in the southern hemisphere with no albedo features. Niliacus Lacus is somewhat visible at 5 o'clock position. South pole is at top according to ALPO imaging convention.

This observation has been archived on ALPO servers in the US and Japan.

Comments are welcome.