Astrolabe observations of Mars

A previously reported bias in the right ascension residuals of astrolabe observations of Mars is removed by correcting for equinox motion and relating the observations to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's planetary ephemeris, DE111. The remaining residuals show a 'phase effect', the magnitude of which is solved for and compared with that previously found for meridian transit observations. The final residuals reveal no significant offset in either right ascension or declination. In modifying the residuals, use is also made of Fricke's (1980) correction for the motion of the FK 4 equinox.