Visual Observing of Mars

[hotspur]

Just a quick note The last two nights 11th and 12th of Feb i put in a bit

of time at the scope doing some visual observing of Mars,The seeing conditions were very bad,but at least there were no clouds.

I only have a 4 inch scope,but it has high quality optics.A few times i could see some dark detail,and the ice cap at bottom.

I am wondering what others have visually observed with similar instruments,i know a few people out there have 100mm ED skywatchers.

The specs on gear i used are 103 Vixen with 7 mm T6 Naglar,it was a wast of time trying high power eye pieces.

Hopefully tonight will be better.It was nice to be outside under the stars for a change.

cheers

[fragchamp]

I used a 2 barlowed 8mm plossl giving 375 times with a 12" GSO Dob, so my equipment is not so similar, but with planets I believe it's more about the accuracy of the optics than the type or size of scope.

The colour was orange red, with more intense colour at the top and whiter towards the bottom. As the image started to improve I saw the ice cap emerge at the top of the FOV, and finally the darker regions over the body.

This was at 30 degrees above, and seeing was excellent (as good as I've experienced in two years of observing). Even with the good conditions I had to wait until it peaked before the darker detail became easy to see. In average conditions or at lower Alt, I've just seen a flaming red ball.