Mars from Melbourne this morning

[John K]

Hi guys,

have not posted for several months.

Here is my first go at Mars this apparation - lack of time has meant I have waited for the month of opposition before even attempting Mars which from Melbourne is just at over 30 degrees altitude.

Still an amazing object every time even from low elevation - Olympus Mons is to the left of centre.

Clear skies.

John K.

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi John, great to see you back, and with a fantastic Mars image too.

The volcano and the cloud tops are very easily visible. Well done indeed.

[UK1 (Rob)]

Great photo if you not mind me asking what scope, camers and settings did you use please. as im in Melbourne and gathering as much info about photography as I can so when I learn drift align ( having great trobs with that ) I then can write up all methods on how to do it,. many thanks

[cookie8 (Vincent)]

Fantastic Mars John.Lots of features.Was it taken with the Philips 900nc webcam? You make me feel like having a go myself.

[John K]

Originally Posted by UK1

Great photo if you not mind me asking what scope, camers and settings did you use please. as im in Melbourne and gathering as much info about photography as I can so when I learn drift align ( having great trobs with that ) I then can write up all methods on how to do it,. many thanks

Taken with a 12.5" f/5, Skynix 2.0, Astronomics Filters, 5 x powermate and small extension tube. Took this shot at 15fps gathering 3000 frames per RGB channel.

Slightly more contrasty image attached. Will also process a 30fps shot tonight and see the diff.

John K.

[John K]

and here is the version with the camera set at 29fps.

Other then a slight colour difference which I would not correct there is hardly a difference - perhaps slightly less noise as I may not have moved the slider a much in Registax but same processing overall.

Think 29fps is better as can gather about 4000 frames per channel to keep the capture below 11 mins at which time smearing due to roation would occur.

Bottom line is that for us southerners it's still only 30 degrees high.

[StarGazing (Alex)]

Nice one John, looks great and good detail.
Best of luck with the imaging.

Cheers Alex.

[mswhin63 (Malcolm)]

Great detail there, good one

[UK1 (Rob)]

No wounder you can see great detail as you have a 12" scope
very nice pics

was hoping to see more detail even with a 2x barlow and the 8" still see all I still see is a red dot....grr

what part of Melbourne are you from to get nice clear skys