Last night I undertook imaging of Mars however the the seeing at my site (particularly at high powers) was unfavorable so I decided to step down the power and try to image Phobos and Deimos using the Mintron and 10-inch reflector. Unfortunately, Phobos was caught up in the glare of the over-exposed Mars (not quite separated enough) but 12.6 mag - Deimos was well placed. The attached animation shows not only the orbital movement of Deimos over over 36 minutes but also the easterly movement of Mars with reference to the 13.2 magnitude star GSC 1233 448.
I took a quick short exposure of Mars before the last exposure and placed it over the over-exposed image (needed to detect Deimos) to show its actual size and CM. I hope the animation shows the details ok.
Actually just realised that i should have said "westerly movement of Mars with reference to the 13.2 magnitude star GSC 1233 448." as Mars has just turned the corner in its big loop of the sky.
Very impressive Steve. Great stuff.....I've modded an E/Pc. I put a mask,(thin Al. strip),across the centre of the E/Pc. to kill mars, with a dark filter in one 1/2 of the field & left the other 1/2 clear. Hoping to pick up both moons when it gets a little closer. Not much chance, looking at your pics tho!!!
Can but try...... L.
It's funny you should say that because as I was viewing Deimos on the monitor (not just this time but also in the past) I think about Asaph Hall and how amazed he would be to see what we can do today. Guess it comes naturally when observing these rarely seen moons.
Go RAJAH - that will be something if you spot them. I've tried it on a 24-ich telescope with Mars just outside the FOV and thought I could just make out Deimos. A friend in Coonabarabran told me he spottd them with a 20-inch dob during the 2003 apparition.
Not much chance, looking at your pics tho!!!
