Was it Dew that helped me? (can also be read as "Was it You that helped me ;) )

[Draco (Draco)]

Hello

I took out my telescope for some general viewing tonight. With the almost full moon in the sky, it was exceptionally brighter than usual . Anyways, I set my eyes on Mars and slewed my telescope to it. First views were not too good since with my 10" and a 30mm eyepiece, it was quite tiny and bright. I turned to a 10mm, the image became larger but it was still too bright for me to notice any Martian landmarks.

I went in for dinner and came back 30min later. I slewed to Mars again for another try. To my surprise, I could see the ice caps on Mars quite clearly! This was one of those head scratching moments since I hadn't done anything since I came back. The 10mm eyepiece was still in the telescope so what gives! BTW my initial viewing was after 1hour of cooling the telescope.

By some chance I noticed a film of moisture on the primary lens of my telescope. I fought all temptations to wipe it down with a soft cloth but just then I realised that the dew had actually helped reduce the glare of Mars, thereby making the viewing much better

So do you guys think my conclusion is correct or is there something else that could have helped clear my viewing of Mars? Mars had crept abit higher in the 30min but the almost full moon was still behind it.

Thank you.

[killswitch (Edison)]

Maybe also because your eyes were no longer dark adapted after you went to dinner. Pupils are contstricted, less light going in.

[Steffen]

I think you can only see one icecap at a time, the other white patch(es) were probably clouds.

You can check what you saw in Sky Safari, or on this website.

Cheers
Steffe

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

It was quite moist this evening. Get yourself a dew shield and heater band to help keep it at bay. I had a clear corrector all night.

The conditions seemed pretty decent tonight, I was seeing a lot of detail and subtle texture on Mars and Saturn was exceptional (in my limited experience).

[Renato1 (Renato)]

It could be several things, but I don't think it was dew.

Maybe the atmosphere got better.

Maybe your telescope cooled down/ tube currents settled down.

Maybe Mars moved away from being in the line of sight of someone's hot house or chimney flue, which was distorting the view.

Dew has never helped me with Mars or any other planet. But a red filter has.
Cheers,
Renato

[Steffen]

Originally Posted by Camelopardalis

The conditions seemed pretty decent tonight, I was seeing a lot of detail and subtle texture on Mars and Saturn was exceptional (in my limited experience).

Yes, Saturn just keeps getting better lately, a combination of proximity and good seeing. Tonight the Encke gap and crepe ring were plain obvious for extended periods of time. No hexagonal storm, but that might be a bit ambitious for 6"

Cheers
Steffen.

[Draco (Draco)]

Originally Posted by Steffen

I think you can only see one icecap at a time, the other white patch(es) were probably clouds.

You can check what you saw in Sky Safari, or on this website.

Cheers
Steffe

Hi Steffen

Yes that was what I initially thought. How am I seeing ice on both poles when SkySafari shows only one. Luckily I searched for recent images of Mars on IIS and found that actually both poles had white stuff This image shows exactly what I saw. Is the other pole covered with ice as well or is it clouds?

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=120783

[Draco (Draco)]

Originally Posted by killswitch

Maybe also because your eyes were no longer dark adapted after you went to dinner. Pupils are contstricted, less light going in.

Hi killswitch.

That might be true but then why was I able to see Mars so clearly? BTW after I had returned from dinner, I spent 5 minutes getting dark adapted (sorry didnt mention that in my initial post).

Either way, I am stoked that I saw the ice caps.. woohoo.. am soo soo happy!!

[Draco (Draco)]

Originally Posted by Camelopardalis

It was quite moist this evening. Get yourself a dew shield and heater band to help keep it at bay. I had a clear corrector all night.

The conditions seemed pretty decent tonight, I was seeing a lot of detail and subtle texture on Mars and Saturn was exceptional (in my limited experience).

Hey Camelopardalis (Dunk)

Thank you for your amazing image of Mars http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=120783

SkySafari was showing ice on only one pole however I was sure the cold wasnt playing with my mind and your image helped clear that for me. I saw exactly what your image shows. Is the other pole covered in ice or clouds?

BTW amazing image. well done mate

[Draco (Draco)]

Sorry guys.

This is the image I consulted last night. Just realised Dunk had posted his images today so they could't have been the ones I saw last night

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=120719

[Paddy (Patrick)]

I assume it would be the result of the planet being higher (less atmosphere to look through) and better seeing. Pupillodilation happens very quickly - less than a second. Further dark adaptation is a result of restoring the retina's visual pigments. For the naked eye planets, they are so bright that this is not relevant. I always observe these planets with a different eye to the one I use for DSOs as the planets themselves will end dark adaptation.