Declination 26 degrees, 58' 44"
Magnitude -1.4
Distance from Earth: 0.620 AU
The conditions for observation were better tonight than any previous night. The temperature, while cold, was not frigid has it had been at first and the wind was calm, unlike the past two nights. I am back to my post-holiday work schedule, so I arrived home later than on past nights; Mars was much higher in the sky than on the previous nights of observation.
I believe I am starting to notice Mars going through phases. I am uncertain of this, but believe that Mars now appears to be about three quarters full. I am also noticing changes on the surface while I observe. This is most likely atmospheric interference from Earth, but it made me wonder if I could be seeing shawdows cast by mountain ranges or even the shadow of one of Mars's small moons. I thought I briefly glimpsed a small point of light off to the left of the planet after seeing one of these shadows. Could this have been a moon? I was thinking the moons of Mars would be too small for me to see. If anyone has experience with this, I would like to hear from you.
Regards,
Mycroft
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