Mars Flash?

[venus]

Just wondering what this is and if it's similar to a "Green Flash" sometimes viewed at Sunset?

[venus]

Ha ha, you forgot the red!
anyways, I just had a viewing session with Mars through my front window and it was amazing but I didn't see any "flashes" or maybe missed them?

[iceman]

Rajah stay on topic please. Post deleted.

Venus I read about it somewhere the other day, I can't remember where though.

It was referring to the possibility of observing a bright albedo feature (or 'flash') that may be visible at times due to sunlight reflecting off Martian frost or ice.

Would be very interesting to observe if you were in the right place at the right time looking through your telescope at Mars!

[venus]

Thanks, I first read about the phenomena here (http://www.tnni.net/%7Edustymars/Article_2005.htm)
Tried to google for more info to no avail, so I thought I'd ask here.........

Lydia

[Greg Bryant]

Lydia,

The article below relates to prospects for the 2003 Mars apparition, but the background information is useful.

http://skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/planets/article_982_1.asp

[venus]

"the sources of the reflections lie at the bottoms of narrow fissures or trenches on the planet's surface." interesting it dispells my idea that maybe the dust-devils on Mars may be the cause of the sprites?

thanks Greg

Lydia

[venus]

some interesting pics on this site of dust storms on Mars.....
Mars pics (http://elvis.rowan.edu/marswatch/images/marswatch.php?s=2005-10-27)