Mars October 24th 11:10 UT

Joel Warren · #1 25-10-2009, 10:02 AM

Even though everything pointed to pretty bad seeing, I had to give Mars a shot. Its been a long period of clouds. I was rather surprised at the results after seeing the unprocessed stacked result. The power of deconvolution in bringing out detail is amazing. I haven't been able to find out yet, but I think some dust in seen in the N. Polar region in this image. You can see what would appear to be albedo features obscured in the Red channel, and I think that area extends too far south at this point to be part of the ice cap. I've sent out a few e-mails trying to get some better educated opinions than my own, but I would bet some dust is kicking up.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #2 25-10-2009, 10:05 AM

Mars is such a challenge atm.
You've done exceedingly well on this capture.
Thanks for posting.

Time I got all my Mars books out of storage again. Tis the season.

Joel Warren · #3 25-10-2009, 11:48 AM

Thanks for the kind words Jeanette. I have quite a Mars library myself.

Troy · #4 25-10-2009, 01:03 PM

I agree that's a great shot

What equipment are you using?

Joel Warren · #5 25-10-2009, 01:44 PM

Thank you Troy. I'm using a Celestron CPC 1100 in Alt/AZ along with a DBK21AF camera. I used a 3x Televue barlow for that image along with an IR-cut filter.

Quark (Trevor) · #6 25-10-2009, 06:18 PM

Nice job Joel,

Yes, deconvolution is an amazing tool indeed.
Joel, as a matter of interest, what altitude is Mars for your observing site?

Well done.
Regards
Trevor

Lester · #7 25-10-2009, 08:10 PM

Hi Joel, you have captured nice detail for Mars and still being so small.

Looking forward to more from you, all the best.

DavidU (Dave) · #8 25-10-2009, 08:16 PM

Nice job Joel.

robin · #9 25-10-2009, 10:42 PM

Great stuff Joel. A difficult target in the wee small hours

Joel Warren · #10 26-10-2009, 03:30 AM

Thank you all for the kind words. Trevor, I appear to be in a lucky position this time around with Mars. When I took that image it was at 65 degrees, about 30 minutes before sunrise It should almost be directly overhead for me over the next year. Here in the U.S., most of the states have been having down right horrible seeing for a few months now. I'm hoping it will let up some time soon, but being in an El Nino pattern, I'm not sure. It will help having Mars so high in the sky though. You guys got Jupiter this last year, I guess we get to have Mars.

Regards,
Joel

Quark (Trevor) · #11 26-10-2009, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joel Warren

Thank you all for the kind words. Trevor, I appear to be in a lucky position this time around with Mars. When I took that image it was at 65 degrees, about 30 minutes before sunrise It should almost be directly overhead for me over the next year. Here in the U.S., most of the states have been having down right horrible seeing for a few months now. I'm hoping it will let up some time soon, but being in an El Nino pattern, I'm not sure. It will help having Mars so high in the sky though. You guys got Jupiter this last year, I guess we get to have Mars.

Regards,
Joel

Thanks Joel, I think it works out pretty well really, Jupiter is heading your way and Saturn is coming south, a fair trade. As for Mars, I have never really put much time into it, although my new IR filter makes it look ok, even at very low altitude.

Looking forward to seeing your Mars images as it gets closer to opposition.

Regards
Trevor