Jupiter, Saturn, Mars in April

[andyc]

A bit of a random collection of some of the frames I've collected in the past couple of weeks. Jupiter's been interesting with quite a lot of activity near the GRS, Saturn has a high latitude storm that I finally caught this week, and Mars is getting closer. Can't wait for July :eyepop:
More Mars (https://photos.app.goo.gl/SaWBDUvmRnnudhCr2), Jupiter (https://photos.app.goo.gl/hUV8ABBreO6hBMjw1), Saturn (https://photos.app.goo.gl/fmgVczrwN6Y23hEj1)

[Troy]

Some really good images there, well done. :thumbsup:

[Dennis]

Fabulous series Andy and phew - what an image scale!:thumbsup:

Your Mars is bigger than my Jupiter's with the 210mm Tak.:)

Cheers

Dennis

[MortonH]

#3 (Joop) is fantastic! How are you getting such good seeing!!!

[Bushy69]

Just amazing Andy, and so well presented.

Just got me motivated to setup the Mak 180 and see what I can capture.:)

Cheers,

Bushy

[beren]

:thumbsup: Oh very nice, well done

[astronobob]

Yes, they are awesome Andy, grouse show, totally enjoyed your images, work & presentation too, , wow, That Jup is fantastic - bravo on the Saturnian storm aswell; and yeah, Mars is looking clean at the moment - no major dust storms, !!!

One Question I have had on my mind for a while, (and its nothing to do with your awesome images) but: Why is it that the Martian Grand Canyon doesnt/can't show up with amature images - like, it goes almost 1/3 the way around the planet, if memory serves,,,
Any ideas ? maybe not casting shadows or similar I guess ?
Just a thought anyway ...
Really enjoyed your Post, all the same :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[andyc]

Thanks everyone!

Morton - get the scope out in the next three nights - 9/9 seeing forecast for Sydney with a chance of clear skies :D

Bob, interesting question. Valles Marineris does show up, you just need to know what to look for. It's quite prominent in Damian Peach's image from last week (http://www.damianpeach.com/mars2018/m2018_04_17dp.jpg) as the forked dark linear feature near the centre of his images. It should be visible in most images of that side of the planet. Valles Marineris is ~4,000km long and Mars' circumference is ~22,000km, so maybe it's not quite as large as you thought? Comparing the famous Viking image (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valles_Marineris) on Wikipedia with telescope images, it would seem that one end doesn't have too much dark material, and the other stretches into Mare Erythraeum (various names with VM on Damian's map (http://www.damianpeach.com/images/mars/mars_2005dp_labeled.jpg) from 12 years ago)

[Sebbie]

Great imaging campaign Andy. Red channel on Saturn looks fantastic.

Regards,
Seb

[strongmanmike]

All good but gee, that 5th April Jupiter shot is fantastic Andy, nice job :thumbsup:

Mike

[Rkonrad]

Lovely Andy thanks for sharing

[John K]

Well done Andy! A great collection of images and very promising as all these objects come to opposition this year.

John K.

[astronobob]

That is great, appreaciated - eye-opening 'value' :thumbsup: Andy