An important change on Mars (from the ToUCam group). See Below. Clear Skies Don Colton Just this morning a major event has happened on Mars, something that will be quite obvious and plainly visible in even small telescopes from the western hemisphere for about the next week, observing around 05:00 UT (midnight local time Central). On the meridian is a huge yellow "cloud" or outgassing that is brighter than any known feature of the planet. It has developed rapidly in only 24 hours from a small point of light to an intense area of coverage with 7 appendages that are stretching in all directions; estimates by Joel Warren indicate that the cloud (?) is approaching 700-800 miles cross at this time and is spreading at a speed of some 35 MPH. NOTE that the Mars Rover OPPORTUNITY is just north and east of this point....they are actually tasking the Rover for images today. Unfortunately this is not visible during nighttime hours for observers in Europe, Australia, etc. I have posted two images on the ASO website showing this feature, one showing the incredible sight as it rotates into view this morning, ect. 28; the other image shows a comparison of the major changes that have taken place in ONLY 24 hours from Oct 27 to Oct 28. Some of you will have an image attached. If not, please look at the following two ASO links: http://www.arksky.org/asoimg/MarAF4AD5A.jpg (New intense cloud, Oct. 28) and http://www.arksky.org/asoimg/MarAF4B178.jpg (comparison, Oct 27-28)