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Two nights ago, I finally got nice steady atmosphere in this strange place I've moved to. I looked at Saturn with my 5" MAK at 300X, and the image was superb. I looked at Mars, I had a nice sharp disc, but I couldn't see any features on it, no matter which red or yellow filter I used.
Last night, I took my 4" refractor achromat up to 210X and looked at Saturn, using a Baader High contrast filter for refractors. The image was pretty mushy, not good at all. Then I aimed at Mars, not expecting much, and there was the polar ice cap and lots of markings (the high contrast filter is yellow). I was delighted.
Tonight I tried the 5" MAK again, but at only 220X. This time, using a 23A red filter, I could easily see the polar ice cap, and the markings were there too - though not as contrasty as in my refractor the night before.
Then an hour later I took my 4" refractor out to compare it to the 5" MAK. And I couldn't see a thing on Mars with the refractor. And my MAK had dewed over, and I packed it in.
Things seem to be quite fickle around here, viewing-wise.
Regards,
Renato
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