Mars on 1961 January 3/4 as sketched by K.R. Brasch. 8" reflector at 300x. T = 1°.

Left: At 19:30-20:00 local time (00:30-01:00 UT). C.M. 243°. Seeing 7. Transparency 2-3. Amber filter used alternately. Haze covered planet causing poor transparency.

Right: At 21:00-21:15 local time (02:00-02:15 UT). C.M. 262°. Seeing 6-7. Transparency 4-5.  Haze cleared resulting in very good transparency, & continuous fine seeing. Amber filter used alternately. Superb view of intensity + colour of different areas:

• darkest patches – dull grey blue
• light part of dark areas – definite green
• bright central area – yellow
• polar region – glittering white