Amateur Astronomer Spots Strange Cloud Formations On Mars

techfun89 writes "Mars has returned to our evening skies as it does every two years. This time it is getting even more attention and buzz than it normally would. Amateur astronomer Wayne Jaeschke of West Chester Pennsylvania noticed an unusual protrusion in the planet's southern hemisphere, preceding the sunrise terminator. Several things may have contributed to this strange 'cloud formation.' One possibility is a meteoric impact event, where dust was spewed up into the atmosphere. Another could be a major dust storm, which are typical on Mars. Of course, it could be something more mundane; that these observations were caused by a mere optical illusion via a type of glint that occurred due to having just the right combination of lighting and atmospheric conditions. Some suggest volcanic activity, though this is unlikely given it has been 20 to 200 million years since lava has flowed on Mars."

Re:Poorly-written article

[pooh666]

At first I thought your post was just the standard ./ guy being picky, but yeah totaly agree. To me, even worst than the dates, I don't see a single thing about this guy's equipment or methods, to me in a "tech" article that would almost be first thing.

Perhaps K'Breel, leader of the Council...

[Anonymous Coward]

Perhaps K'Breel, leader of the Council can enlighten us ?

Dust storm? Don't think so.

[mbone]

When Mariner 9 (and 2 Soviet Mars orbiters) the planet was having the worst dust storm in decades. The entire surface was basically invisible from orbit, which hasn't happened since.

The reason I bring this is up is that this storm did not reach above the atmosphere. It was observed from Earth, but caused nothing like the pictures of the recent event - and that was more or less the biggest storm ever seen. So, if this is real, I don't think it's a dust storm.