by David North
The sky isn't particularly steady tonight, but for some reason Mars is popping very nicely; definitely the best view I've had this year.
Something is definitely showing where the polar cap should be; I'll reserve speculation on what it is exactly, but it's pretty obvious. It forms the triangle expected with Hellas/Zen Lacus and Chryse, if Mars Previewer is on the nut (and the match is pretty good). Mare Serpentis is pretty easy, as it lapygia Viridis, but Deltoton Sinus is not.
Sinus Sabaeus/Meridiani/Margeritifer is thicker than pictured in Previewer, and Acidalium more pronounced... but both Niliacus Lacus Boreum are very slight if at all showing -- I'm not 100 percent sure of identification.
Mare Erythrium seems bifurcated from Vulcani Pelabgus rather than joined as shown.
Boom. Much more clear. The names change a bit (the globe uses different terms) but the image is a dead ringer. The globe shows Syrtis Major darker (as it appears in the eyepiece) and Sab/Meridiani/Margaritifer are definitely closer to the reality. Acidalia is almost exactly as the globe shows it... but the globe falls down on the bright Chryse, for some reason.
Dang. I'll never manage to get a standardized terminology out of this... but heck with it. It's such a treat to see all this detail!
I would expect that nice seven-inch Zambuto mirror would do about as well, given some good seeing.
Dave North
San Jose California
Tak FS128 (Five inch) refractor