Mars

[iceman]

When I was up early yesterday morning imaging Mars (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=3940), I also took the chance to take a look through an eyepiece at the more orange than red planet.

The seeing was quite steady, so I pushed the mag up to 416x by using a 9mm eyepiece in combination with my 3x barlow. Even at this magnification, I could make out quite a bit of surface detail very similar looking to my image, just not as sharp. The poor quality eyepiece and barlow meant the image wasn't sharp, and didn't have well defined edges, but it was still the best eyepiece view I've ever had of Mars (I wasn't into astronomy during the 2003 opposition).

Using the 9mm eyepiece alone (@138x), Mars was simply too bright to make out any detail or albedo features. It definitely could've used a ND or other colour filter to dim it down a bit. But instead I just increased the magnification.

I think that around 300x probably would've given the best view given the seeing conditions.. I'm really looking forward to the next few months as Mars gets bigger..

On a night of good seeing it's just going to be a brilliant view.

[asimov]

Nice lil' report.

I too copped a really good visual of it the last time I photographed it. It was the best I've ever seen it even though it was less than ideal seeing conditions. Max mag I could go to & still retail a really good visual image was 200X. I just wish I could photograph it the way I see it, as well as other objects.

[ving]

you should make an aperture mask to cut down on the glare mike. :)
nice report :)

[iceman]

And lose resolving power? No way! :P

[ving]

wel be blinded then! :P

[asimov]

I should have mentioned: my best view coming from the 12.5" newt using my aperture mask coupled with a .965" kellner EP...

[ving]

*cough*see mike*cough*
:P

[asimov]

I ain't saying I know better than anyone else, don't get me wrong. Jusy MY best views from that setup. The mask takes the edge off the glare, makes the limbs of the planet more crisp/clear, & better contrast..to my eye anyway. The mask I use has 3 maximum size round holes, to let the most light in but also to get rid if the spider diffractions. It's also good for getting that perfect focus. I only use it on bright planets naturally.

[dhumpie]

Yeah Mars is starting to strut its stuff. I might try out my new/used 6mm Radian on it this full moon weekend :)

Darren

[ving]

i am hoping to use a 7.5mm celestron ultima on it this w/end ;)

[aaronsadler]

I'm gonna use a nagler t6 5mm with 2.5x barlow this weekend.:astron: :jump2:


Edit- Just found out my new stuff doesn't get here till tuesday
:doh: