Mars / 29th june / 4.30am

asimov (John) · #1 29-06-2005, 05:33 PM

Well, I stayed up again waiting for mars. This time with the 6" achro. {& the kodak easyshare!}

Seeing was not the best. Got some splendid views none-the-less. Mars & the achro work well together...no CA or anything like that. Saw the polar cap & some dark olive color markings on the surface. This is my first decent view of mars & my first photograph of it as well!

Feel free to laugh at my meagre attempt guys! I wont hold it against ya!

I'm more than happy with this shot though... I'm over the moon! {or should that be mars!?} THIS is what astronomy's all about I reckon! Out there in the cold all alone with heavy dew running off you & the scope in the early hours looking at a distant planet, & then to capture it on camera....truly AWESOME!!!!
Makes you feel like a true pioneer!

Best fun Iv'e had in b****y years!

Kodak DX6340 / 1/45th sec exposure / 7.5mm eudiascopic EP / 1 image / hand-held. Bit of cropping resizing contrast brightness etc in picture publisher.

xstream (John) · #2 29-06-2005, 05:50 PM

Great shot John!
The most important thing though, is you had fun while doing it.

The result then speaks for its self.

Chrissyo (Chris) · #3 29-06-2005, 05:50 PM

Awesome! Beats anything mars that I've done! The polar ice cap is certainly visable. Good job

[1ponders] (Paul) · #4 29-06-2005, 06:17 PM

Way to go John. I've seen ToUcam images that weren't that clear.

gbeal · #5 29-06-2005, 06:44 PM

Nice shot John,
it is a difficult subject at the best of times, I had all manner of problems last time around.
Gary

Greg Bryant · #6 29-06-2005, 08:27 PM

Great stuff, John. There's a lot of fun to be had in hunting down Mars several months before opposition. Some observers I know eagerly await the first sighting in the dawn sky after solar conjunction - just to see what's happening.

asimov (John) · #7 29-06-2005, 10:01 PM

Well thanks for all your nice comments guys! I appreciate it. I certainly had fun that's for sure, cant wait to let loose the 12.5" on her!

fringe_dweller · #8 30-06-2005, 12:55 AM

I didnt see this post yeserday!? thats weird - Well anyway John, Bl**dy Nice ! i know how bad the seeing was when you took that - it wasnt great at all - i even thought i have seen Venus twinkling lately!!!???? You might be the first to see the dust storms start - hopefully they wont? i remember 2001 - had to get in early for a good look to beat the storms that year.
Kearn

asimov (John) · #9 30-06-2005, 01:40 AM

Thanks Kearn. Wait till I actually mount the camera to the scope!

asimov (John) · #10 30-06-2005, 01:45 AM

If the polar cap was red....It would look EXACTLY like a stuffed olive!!!

I'll leave that in Ken's capable hands!