Mars 18-12

ReaPerMan (Paul) · #1 18-12-2009, 07:38 AM

My very first go at imaging Mars.. tricky little begger

C9.25 2X Barlow Neximage 600 frames

Clayton · #2 18-12-2009, 08:28 AM

Not too bad Paul. Managed to get some detail. Just a bit soft for some reason? Maybe seeing or focus.
Great first effort

Quark (Trevor) · #3 18-12-2009, 12:46 PM

Thats a good first effort Paul,

Did you record all of your capture settings, if not I suggest doing so, along with the UTC for each avi. You can download Al Sheens most excellent program "Al's Clock" from the "Resources" section of IIS. This will convert your local time to UTC. While your at it, download "Al's Reticle" from the same location, you can open this over your capture window and place it centrally as an aid to keeping the live image in the middle of the frame.

You can download "Mars Ephemeris Generator 2.0" from the link below.

http://pds-rings.seti.org/tools/ephem2_mar_help.html

By input of your observing date and UTC this program will provide you with the CM on Mars for the time of capture so that you can positively identify the features by relating the CM to a map. This program can also provide heaps of other info such as apparent radius, distance from Earth, distance from the Sun and phase angle.

Regards
Trevor

ReaPerMan (Paul) · #4 18-12-2009, 03:27 PM

Thanks guys.. I am still getting the hang of using the programs (registrax etc) and trying to get the best out of my gear.
Clayton i would agree that it has come out a bit soft. Whilst there was considerable movement of the target i also have been trying to get better focus with my C9.25. I have a feathertouch focuser on the way from the sates and i am hoping that this will help. I find at present that i go from the two extreems of focus at only the slightest of touch. Visually using a mask i get great focus but i cant quite seem to swing it with the CCD.

Thanks for your advice as well Trevor I have downloaded those progs and will use them from now on. I have attached a corrected image with South at the bottom and have the Time and date on the image. Also i have calculated the Central meridian at 277.78 degrees so that would make the blue smudge in the middle Syrtis Major ( pretty much what i had guessed.)
all the best

paul