At 08:33 AM 12/24/2002 -0000, you wrote:
>3) And with the super mars season coming ... you know
>that mars has an interesting side( with syrtis major) and
>a dumb side.
The best - by *far* the best - view I have ever had of Mars was last
apparition from Lowell Observatory, using the 24" Clark. The central
meridian was right through the Tharsis side of the planet.
http://www.roboticobservatory.com/jeff/lowell/index.htm
Previously I'd always considered that side of the planet to be the more
subtle and challenging side, but now I have to admit that I view it as the
more spectacular side - given, of course, the right equipment. Big Clark
refractors don't grow on trees, unfortunately....
--
Jeff Medkeff
Sierra Vista, Arizona
http://www.roboticobservatory.com/jeff/