Filters for Mars Conjunction???

[Profiler]

Hello All

I was asked for some suggestions of possible filters to improve observation of Mars for a refractor and the only two that sprang to my mind was a good orange 21# filter and maybe a LPR like the Baader Moon & Skyglow or the Astronomik CLS.

However, it got me thinking so I would welcome suggestions from anyone else if they have some other ideas.

Additionally, I would be very interested to know if anyone has tried and can actually discern any difference between some of the high-end coloured filters (such as an Orange 21#) versus the budget brands for a third of the cost?

All suggestions and input would be warmly welcomed.

[Allan]

I have been trying different eyepiece and filter combinations lately to see what gives the most detail. All my lunar and planetary observing is done through bino viewers. I am a recent convert, only had my Binotrons for 6 months, but I am getting lifetime best planetary views using them.

For Mars the Baader M&SG filter works well, and is probably the best target for using this filter. Contrast between black and red surface features is much improved. It does turn the red surface a dark pink, but I don't find that objectionable. I have also found the warm tone from TeleVue Plossls to work best on Mars.

Jupiter is almost an identical repeat of Mars. The M&SG filter works very well to enhance the red banding.

This filter doesn't improve the detail on Saturn, and to me, gives it a soft appearance. I have found that using cool tone eyepieces like my Denks, Delos and Ethos without a filter works best for revealing Saturn's detail.

Despite its name, I like using the M&SG filter on the moon. It dims it slightly, so I don't feel like I am getting punched in the face, and slightly enhances detail. It definitely works better than ND filters in my experience.

I have tried this filter on DSO, because of its claim to improving contrast on galaxies. But I have found this not to be the case.

So the M&SG probably only works on 3 targets in my opinion, but does a good job on them.

[astro744]

Tele Vue make two filters specifically for Mars and they work very well.

See http://www.televue.com/engine/TV3b_page.asp?id=56#.Uy1a6aiSya8

I just noticed on their web site they now have a third offering calling it the planetary filter.

I like both A & B and I find they complement each other as each brings out subtle features differently.

[PlanetMan]

I am certainly interested to hear more about the Televue filter. From what I could glean of the Mars 'B' filter it is two filters combined into one. That is one side is coated orange akin to a 21 and the other side has some sort of LPR coating. I suppose you could achieve the same thing by stacking two such filters.

However, I too would be interested to hear if anyone can discern any differences between top brand and budget colour filters. I know you can see the differences in nebula filters but I wonder about colour filters?

[Allan]

I have talked to Daniel Mournsey in the US, he is a well know planetary observer. He uses some of the most exotic telescopes and eyepieces to observe planets, but never uses colour filters.

[PlanetMan]

It would be nice to know what are these exotic filters.

I agree that the Baader M&SG produces some good results but I would be interested to hear any other suggestions that the average punter could buy

[WilliamPaolini]

I am not a big fan of filters for planetary, mostly because I feel they cause a slight loss in resolution when placed in the train. For Mars though there are two filters that I use at times: Baader Contrast Booster and the Vernonscope Magenta Filter. Of these, the Magenta is probably the favorite as it defines things up without too much light loss. But I find that I use a filter, only when the seeing is not as steady as I like. When the atmosphere is very steady and transparent, I feel no filter is best. When it's a little off, then the filter can help...especially when you use the highest magnifications. So recently, when at about 250x in my 4" APO on Mars, the filter was a distinct benefit. Back off to 150x, and preferred the no filter view.

[astro744]

The following link has a wealth of information about observing planets with filters.

http://alpo-astronomy.org/

For some reason I cannot copy the address of sub-links from the above web site. The information on filters can be found by doing the following:

Click on the above link.
Click on Mars Section in menu at left.
Click on Mars Software and Articles in menu at right.
Click on Observing the Planets with Color Filters.
Scroll down under the heading Effects of Filters on the Moon and Planets.

[Joves]

I have each of the Televue filters and would have to say that the Planetary is the nicest of the lot. Works brilliantly on both Mars and Jupiter whilst maintaining lovely natural tones. No orange cast thrown over the image like when using the Type A and, particularly, the Type B.

Looking forward to giving it a run on Saturn.

[Renato1]

The red No.23A filter on smaller telescopes and the red No.25 filter on larger telescopes are what I use on Mars, and I have no other use for them on other planets. They easily show dark markings and the polar ice cap.
Regards,
Renato

[Don Pensack]

With Mars:
#25 red enhances the dark markings and dims the image.
#23A red-orange enhances dark markings with less dimming
#21 orange enhances dark markings less, but also enhances dust storms some, with less dimming than the 25 or 23A
#15 dark yellow enhances dust storms and orange-yellow areas on the planet, like Hellas.
#12 yellow enhances dust storms and bright areas
#82A light blue enhances limb clouds, ice cap, and bright markings without dimming
#80A blue enhances limb clouds, ice cap and bright markings with a higher degree of dimming.
#30 Magenta enhances clouds, ice cap, dark markings all at the same time with little dimming.

TeleVue Mars B filter (the A is discontinued) operates like a #21 filter, only a little darker.