Mars 2005 progress

[Comet Hunter]

Thought it would be interesting to show the progress of Mars as it slowly approaches opposition later in the year. All shots taken using a Toucam + 3x Televue Barlow

This first shot was taken on 23/03/05. Slight hints of surface detail and of the polar cap.

http://comethunter.com/images/230305mars1.jpg

Distance: 1.667ua
Diameter: 5.6"
Magnitude: 1.0

Morning of 07/04/05:
http://comethunter.com/images/070405mars.jpg

Distance: 1.558ua
Diameter: 6.0"
Magnitude: 0.9
Mars was at 40˚55' Altitude @ 4:17am local time (+10) when Image was taken.

Morning of 19/04/05
http://comethunter.com/images/190405mars.jpg

Distance: 1.472ua
Diameter: 6.4"
Magnitude: 0.7
Mars was at 50˚58' Altitude @ 5:00am local time (+10) when the image was taken. I think I really nailed this one! :cool:

I'll add more shots as the weeks and months pass and hopefully we'll be able to see a noticable difference in each new shot - thats the plan anyway :D :astron:

[ving]

thats a great start andrew. cant wait for more.

[iceman]

Very nice! Am hoping to get up early this week and capture Mars too, as soon as the rain and clouds go away, and the sick kids start sleeping properly again.

[Mick]

Very nice Andrew, can't wait to see your next image of Mars.

[Striker]

Nice work Andrew.....

[toetoe]

I guess i say this on behalf of others starting in this hobby, the images posted here are a wealth of info for people who don`t have the equipment to see for them selves the magical wonders which are out there. Thank you to all.

[Exfso]

That is very nice. I cant wait for later in the year when it should be much closer, and hopefully more detail.

[rumples riot]

Nice start to the Mars season, looking forward to imaging that.

[Comet Hunter]

Thanks guys, I've added a new pic from this morning to the first post.

:cheers:

[ving]

theres a bit of detail in that one :)
on ya!

why does striker keep edition your posts? :confuse3:

[Moonman]

Andrew AKA Comet Hunter

Really liked your website. Have added it to my favourites

[iceman]

Very nice Andrew, the colour looks much more natural in the 2nd one.
oh and you might want to udpate your sig, it has "edited by striker" all the time :)

[seeker372011]

great project, looking forward to more

[gbeal]

Well done Andrew, it is something I intend on doing as well, and you have rekindled the idea.
Gary

[Comet Hunter]

Thanks Moonman :) I'm stoked about this mornings shot!!

[iceman]

Wow great shot Andrew! You should rotate the camera so that the south polar cap is at the bottom of the image :P

Excellent shot well done.

It's getting bigger already.. what settings did you change for this morning?

[Exfso]

Excellent stuff Andrew, one can see the planet getting larger each shot.

:astron:

[Comet Hunter]

Didn't really do that much different, I think just becoming more familiar with the Toucam. I was also out field testing the completion of my current project which I think has helped alot......stay tuned ;)

[iceman]

ooh sounds interesting! :P Make sure there's a writeup and pics for the site!

[Comet Hunter]

Yep, will start a writeup once it's fully completed hopefully today/tomorrow and provide a link to my site ;) :P

[iceman]

Sounds good!

If you want it duplicated on the IceInSpace How-To page (with full credit/linkage to your site too), let me know.

[[1ponders]]

wow :jawdrop: that last shot is really excellent Andrew. :2thumbs:

[iceman]

How are your Mars coming along CH? Wanting to see some more fantastic shots from you!

[Comet Hunter]

Unfortunately I've been busy over the last week or two (2nd job) and the one or two nights I've had free have been clouded over - (I blame Tony personally lol). Probably another week, possibly next Wed. night before I get a chance to do some imaging :( .. I'm also dying to first light my new WO 2" dielectric diag + (new to me) 17mm Nag.

[Comet Hunter]

A bit of bad news folks.... A week or so ago I finally managed to get out and do some observing after a month or so of extra work/clouds, only to find a few issues had developed with my Toucam.... It now rattles :ashamed: I vaguely remember dropping it once over the month it was sitting dormant :doh: and seems this may have been enough to do some damage....wont know till I open her up, being accident caused means no warranty :( = no need to worry about voiding the warranty :whistle: - hopefully will be able to solder the rogue component back into place. :prey:

I've read of a few different techinques I haven't tried regarding the cleaning of lenses/ccds so will try them on my QC when I get a chance... so hopefully if I cant repair the Toucam I might be able to salvage the QC.

Other then that my imaging days are over for the foreseeable future (6-12 months ... a few commitments soon to occur prevent any new astro toys for a while).:abduct:

In other news, with the observing I squeezed in last week I manged to first light my 17mm Nagler + WO dieletric diag. in my LX.... :eyepop: awesome views compared to my 1.25" gear :cool: Well worth the investment :thumbsup: