[BAA-ebulletin 00918] BAA Mars Section: Dust Storm Alert

[BAA electronic bulletins service]

Dear Observers,

Images taken by Efrain Morales Rivera (Puerto Rico) in the last few
days (May 21-24) clearly show a changeable bright yellow streak of
dust at the IAU western (following) edge of Eysium. The bright cloud
was very conspicuous in red light and was not related to the usual
orographic cloud activity over Elysium Mons. The Director had observed
the area on May 16 without seeing the storm, while on May 23 the
Elysium region was too near the morning terminator for the correct
longitude to have been visible to him.

Evidence for previous telescopic dust storms in this area exists, but
such events are very uncommon for Elysium, and sometimes the area has
simply been a secondary focus of activity for another dust storm
developing elsewhere, such as at the start of the 2001
planet-encircling storm.

If you are able to do so, please monitor the area and send me your
reports. Secondary activity could occur elsewhere at any time now,
though an image by Clyde Foster centred at longitude 101 degrees on
May 24 shows that hemisphere to be free of dust.

Efrain Morales Rivera's image can be seen on the BAA website:
https://britastro.org/node/7715

Best wishes,

Richard McKim
-----
Dr R.J.McKim, Director, Mars Section,
British Astronomical Association