Possible Martian dust storm - BAA electronic circular

[Rick]

BAA MARS SECTION - DUST STORM ALERT

Apart from a small dust cloud seen NW of Solis Lacus for a few days in late May, the planet has shown no signs of telescopic dust storm activity: until today!

Visual and CCD observations for July 1 reveal considerable albedo changes since the previous day in the areas of Iapigia, Hellas and environs. Several small discrete dust clouds have been observed. Dr D.C.Parker reports as follows in an email dated July 1:

"Significant changes have occurred over the past 24 hours:
1. Mare Tyrrhenum, Syrtis Minor, and Crocea-Oenotria have lightened considerably, appearing to be covered by a thin whitish cloud...... These features were dark and 'normal' on June 30 ....and throughout June.
2. Bright ochre spots [were] rimming Hellas and obscuring Deltoton-Iapygia....... Little detail noted on the floor of Hellas."

The region is already being lost over the morning terminator when viewed at dawn from the UK, but observers suitably placed are requested to observe frequently and to report their results to the undersigned. It is not yet possible to assess whether this event will be large or small!

Richard McKim, Director

[Whitters]

From Space Weather News for July 3, 2003
http://spaceweather.com

MARS DUST: The distance between Earth and Mars is shrinking fast. Although
the two worlds won't be closest together until late August, amateur
astronomers are already getting remarkable views of Mars through backyard
telescopes. For instance, some advanced observers have just spotted a dust
cloud forming near Hellas Basin--a giant impact crater on Mars' southern
hemisphere.  Two years ago a similar cloud grew into a global dust storm
on Mars.  Will this one do the same?  Probably not, although astronomers
will be watching carefully to see what happens.

[Rick]

A huge dust storm is raging over a third of Mars, obscuring many surface features. Experts hope it will subside by 27 August when Mars will be at its brightest and closer to Earth than it has ever been in recorded history. MORE

[ This Message was edited by: Rick on 2003-07-10 18:22 ]

[Rick]

More, from NASA originally posted by Paul in another thread.