Mars a few hrs ago - fresh from sky to u

Robert_T · #1 17-12-2005, 11:54 PM

Hi All, had enough sky tonight to take a few avis of Mars as it reached zenith. These again using the Takahashi Mewlon 180.

Seeing was poor to average getting better (but then cloud

). I tried out using the shorty barlow without it's lens as a 30mm extension on the 2.5 powermate. Processed in registstax and ME deconvolution in Astra Image. Might do some further processing etc tomorrow to see if I can improve on this.

The main dark albedo feature is Syrtis Major and the paler area above it is Hellas.

cheers,

davidpretorius · #2 18-12-2005, 12:03 AM

got one churning as we speak in registax. i will be keen to compare the landscape

nice image!

asimov (John) · #3 18-12-2005, 12:37 AM

Nice shot mate.

Dennis · #4 18-12-2005, 07:27 AM

Great effort and very nice results Robert.

Cheers

Dennis

Striker (Tony) · #5 18-12-2005, 08:56 AM

Well done Robert....nice image

Robert_T · #6 18-12-2005, 09:39 AM

thanks guys, I processed another avi from earlier in the night when the seeing was not as good - less fine detail, but perhaps more pleasing colour

. I just ran an unsharp mask on this...all of a sudden seem to be having problems with the deconvolution in Astra Image seeming to over-expose during the process (must have hit some setting?).

Might have to try a virtual dub frame cull on the previous avi and see what that does.

Anyway here it is

RB (Andrew) · #7 18-12-2005, 09:47 AM

Very nice Robert.

Well done.
Must be getting harder to image Mars now?

Robert_T · #8 18-12-2005, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocket Boy

Very nice Robert.

Well done.
Must be getting harder to image Mars now?

Hi Rocket Boy, it's easier in some ways as Mar's is well placed early in the evening, but it's shrinking fast - reckon I can notice it now night by night.

It's already below 15" which makes getting any fine detail only possible if the seeing is very good, and within a couple of weeks will be down to 10" in which case getting any detail at all will be tough.

Still I'm going to follow it down into the single digits and hope for a spot of excellent seeing. Apparently the angle of the sun can reveal some things well past opposition that aren't seen when the planet is face on into the sun.

cheers,

davidpretorius · #9 18-12-2005, 06:12 PM

yes i wouldn't mind doing a day by day comparison weather permitting