[Lack of] atmospheric seeing and Mars

At the risk of re-hashing a previous thread, I’m wondering what others’ experience is regarding atmospheric steadiness (or lack thereof) during this Mars apparition. I’ve been out at least a dozen times since mid-July, and I have yet to have what I would call a really steady night. Three or four of those times the images were so bad that I did not even bother to attempt a sketch. The seeing was more or less steady during rest of the sessions, some better than others, but never what I would call rock solid. Sure, there would be brief moments when I could see some really fine detail, but it was always very fleeting. So I’m sure my scope is capable of better images, but the atmosphere just won’t let me.

I’m observing with an 8-inch f/8 Newtonian. It has a fan that blows across the mirror, and out vents in the opposite side of the tube. I always let the fan run a good half hour before I start observing, which typically takes a half hour more. The fan is rheostat controlled, and I turn it down to about half speed while observing. (Star images at high magnification do not elongate so there is no vibration induced by the fan.). So I don’t think that it’s a tube current/boundary layer problem.

I always try to observe when Mars is transiting, to ensure that I’m looking through as little air as possible. But here in SE Michigan (~42 N), Mars is barely reaching 32 degrees altitude now. Not very high. Even at the BFSP (about the same latitude) this past weekend, we saw the same thing. In my back yard, I’m looking between houses, although there are a couple homes on a cul-de-sac a couple hundred yards away in the next block. After that it’s just woods and fields. But every time I have observed, the image always has some motion to it, enough to degrade the detail I can see.

Is anyone else experiencing this? How many of you have had at least one really steady night? Am I expecting too much from my latitude? Should I move to southern Florida before it's too late?

Doug

We're in the same neck of the woods (SE Michigan), Doug, and I haven't seen a really good night for Mars since around beginning of August (I'd have to check my observing notes to be sure when), and I've only had maybe 2 nights total that I'd call really good. Most nights have been exercises in cutting through the muck or sometimes simply hopeless.

So I think the Southern Florida idea is your best bet.

Doug,

Oh, God, don't bother coming to Florida. I live in Tampa and observe with a 12.5 f/6 and I'm seeing the same stuff you are. I've tried to make up for not observing much in July this past month, and I've seen the same bad seeing. I mean, I can still push X250-350 some nights, but it is never crisp. I let my scope (which is a solid sonotube that seperates into two pieces) cool for an hour with a 3" pancake fan blowing the whole time, and I get the same results. I don't know if I'm going crazy, but when everything is all "heated up" at the start of observing I tend to get sharper images. I dunno why.

"Wet in Tampa"
Guy

Hey Doug,

I have experienced the phenomenon you describe. But during most of my Mars observations, I have found that a really miserable night is often follwed by an exceptionally clear one. In one of my more recent posts (might be from Aug. 22, I don't remember offhand) I described a miserable and futile attempt to get any detail at all on Mars, while only 24 hours later, I was treated to spectacular views. All in all, I'd say it's about 50-50. I've had as many good nights as lousy ones.

Clear nights ... dark sites,
Darren