Mars made its closest approach to Earth last night and will not come as close again till 2016. In this image, taken through a C14 at f27 and a DBK21 color webcam, distinct cloud formations of frozen carbon dioxide and water crystals on the western side of the planet are easily seen. The north polar cap is also very prominent and large. Many details are resolved on the dark swath of Mare Sirenum towards the south. A frozen cloud is discernible hovering over Olympus Mons (the largest volcano known in the solar system upper right off center). North is up, east is left. This image was processed with very little contrast and color enhancement to present Mars as near to the way it really appears. It is probably the best I have taken so far from my location with usually poor seeing.
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