Seeing Conditions and Mars, Setember 30th

Hi Everyone,

I was able to observe Mars the morning of Sept 30, from about 1:30 am to 3:30 am, PDT. The weather was warm and the seeing permitted 235Xs magnification with moments of 351X in a 5" APO. Ron B(ee)'s astro photo of the same morning shows pretty much what I saw.

This was the BEST observation session I've had of Mars, ever! This includes the times during the 2003 opposition with a 6" Mak Cas. Using the Mars Previewer for identification purposes, I was able to isolate during rare moments of really steady seeing, the more difficult Zea Lacus, Deucalinis Regio and Hesperla.

Alas the following evenings/mornings were chilly and foggy so it ruled out any scope time.

Am totally amazed at how much I saw with steady seeing. What a treat. I hope folks are out there taking advantage of this opposition since the next one mirroring this opportunity will not occur until 2018.

Many thanks to Carlos, Michael and Ron for their on-going informative postings.

Clear Skies,

Darlene

A great report, Darlene and you're very welcome! Those features you reported are some tough visual low contrast features! Well done, indeed!

I'm curious if I may ask; how do you like the view through your 5" APO compared to your 6" Mak Cas on Mars?

Thanks,
Ron B[ee]

Darlene,

I am glad that you have experienced a good night of Mars observing! When the atmosphere (Earth's) steadies and allows one to see all the delicate albedo features over Mars it is nothing short of a revelation. It becomes difficult to record all the features noted during such a view. I hope that you have many more such observing sessions in the future with Mars. Your 5" APO sounds like a fine planetary instrument.

Carlos