scarp15

Maybe perhaps depends on how cold it gets. I will wear a pair of North Face windstopper gloves, which provide some dexterity, but prefer to remove them each time for instance I switch between eyepiece filters. I to wear a down outer garment, which is a smock version, having a very warm through pocket, enabling hands to get warmed up between fiddly tasks. On particularly cold nights, or where there is wind chill, I will wear a pair of windproof mittens whilst observing, but again just accept removing if required.

Just interested if you use a filter John (or other readers)? Since formally owning a Televue Bandmate planetary filter used for Jupiter years ago, I do not have any planetary filters, perhaps an applicable filter may draw out subtle features? Experiencing good seeing, contrast between 'dark fingers' such as Mare Cimmerium and Syrtis Minor among other areas was strongly defined and brief periods of ochre shading were distinguishable, good to learn if a filter could necessarily enhance and draw more surface detailing.

Retained clear skies in Newcastle, waited until Mars was transiting approach due south and entirely away from roof thermals. Became another terrific encounter, very much the surface details as described by others and Mare Chromium encompassing a tiny south polar cap, was mottled with texture. I found that I could go to 300x, but prefered to step back to 171x with my 7mm DeLite and was using a 200mm dob. Interspersed with a look at Uranus, kept going until 1.30am when emerging cloud finally built and caused some disruption.

Brilliant, good drawing and subsequent analysis as to what exactly was visible on the surface last night. Polar cap was indeed tiny. Began observing as Mars was transiting south, Hellas became prominent and the dark lobes or finger shadings such as Syrtis Minor, mare Cimmerium, an edge of Syrtis Major and Eridania.

Transparency is very good and there's a very gentle breeze. M15 is nicely positioned due south for observing presently.

Mars is looking magnificent in clear skies N/E England. Eagerly awaiting observing, for it to culminate and come into view later.

Very nice, an exciting week for observing Mars, when the weather clears, looks promising here from mid week.

Very nice impression and relatable, akin to a visual encounter. The weather picking up, N/E UK at least mid week for the period Mars reaches peak diameter.

Very nice indeed.

Seen some pictures of a good Aurora display across the Cairngorms from a few evenings ago. Good idea for the thermal undersuit, the windchill is a particular factor there. That is definitely a consideration concerning snow at the Lecht and Glenshee road. Had to make a very long detour back to Newcastle from Braemar a good few years ago, when Glenshee closed due to snow drifts.

You know, here is what I think, based upon my own experience. No matter how hard you may try to be quiet and discreet venturing out into the small and unsociable hours, something just might inevitably happen and go CLUNK. There follows a pause and then; the dogs start barking, the cats start wailing, the security lights start flashing, it becomes pandemania. OK maybe not quite like that, but creeping around say in the early hours in the dark, your brain slipping into a trance, slight clumsy stuff happens and any noise is personified. I live in a mid terrace, our immediate neighbours are even quieter than we are, yet they do not camp out in their yards, so unlikely will be disturbed (I hope), as I await for Mars to slip past the chimney stack in the very small hours. Determined effects at being quiet, is of course respectful and necessary, yet I think of equal importance is to only use a dim red light with a downward projected beam when outside, as that to can become a distraction. In terms of a telescope cover, I would choose the best one for fit and function and not base it so much on colour and whether the material is smooth or not. Therefore if the best scope cover to suit your setup happens to be a Telegizmos option, I would go for that as they are highly regarded and I really like the fit and function of mine (and they really are quiet enough).

Wark Forest Northumberland.

What telescope are you using?

Yes white is good such as if your equipment is set up at a star party and reflect any sunlight. At night yes it can appear a bit like a ghost. Polyurethane coated nylon, the fabric is soft and quiet, a close second would be the nylon material on the green coloured Cygnus Atro and the Telegizmo in third place. I take it that you are looking for something quite stealth.

ha no of course not, had them for years, preceded the scopes, used for ski bags heading to Norway, nordic skiing. Telegigizo scope covers are very good to I have one for my 85mm frac. A softer material is Astro Systems such as the scope coat. White is probably useful, I have one of these for my 14" dob, very good, quick easy to slip on when required to in a hurry, just need to watch for cross winds, the fabric acted like a sail and on one occasion momentarily rocked the scope.

https://televue.com/notamnomen/2020/09/11/mars-opposition-season-images/#more-7123 An interesting article on Mars by Tele Vue.

Thanks, a lovely report and engaging illustrations. Particularly since I was using a OOUK 8" F6 1/10PV mirror dob last night. This account is educational for myself, SGL certainly is a feature of the University of Life.

Very nice and that conveys some clarification as to what I was observing between 1.10am and 2.35am this morning.

That is interesting it could well have been since late on one of the moons was of course transiting. The seeing was stable and moments as you mention that provided feature rich surface texture, a lot to absorb, the small pin prick of light could therefore had been a transit, must say I was too distracted with everything else to even notice.

Finally got a dedicated Mars session last night. My backyard has a good due south aspect which meant I did not begin until 1am (the chimney stack being the factor). I had set up my VX8L, some slight haze, which was an advantage and switched between using DeLite eyepieces from 18mm up to 4mm 300x, I cannot speak highly enough of this line of eyepieces and I wish i'd had the 3mm. Features were very distinguished and as John had implied the bright button of the South Polar Cap pronounced. There was a pinkish tint across the northern mare region, I wasn't using a filter, which was not necessary (nor did I have one). Within Syrtis Major, there were also some darker edges and can only describe as dark fingers; gaining an education on the topography through reading other members descriptions is very informative.

Great session, very interesting description of Mars. I too was out last night, first dedicated session on Mars, had to wait until 1am for it to emerge clearly, still climbing south and your descriptions assisting to clarify some of what I observed, which was superb.

A worthwhile journey, good to read that you finally got a session in with your 500p and continue to gain impressive binocular observations. The filter compatibility on the binoculars is working really well, as with Mark, did you have H-beta attachments for the Cocoon?

Outdoors, I have another cover, an old airport complementary, large polythene, ski bag for draping over inside, used as a dust cover. When used outside it becomes purposeful if left for a few hours for nightfall incase of any passing showers, as well as when at a dark sky site for if some weather blows in. The draw cord is also useful, it does not flap about or behave like a wind sock, should it be at all a little breezy. Just for the record and to complete the set, here is a picture for the indoor, dust proof, storage arrangement complete with Braathens Air 'flight bags'.

Lovely, a subtle yet vibrant composition.

Cygnus Astro Covers, underwent consultation for having one made for my 8" dob, a few years ago. Fits OK, used on a few occasions, was good value so yes worthy of consideration. Picture of the dob and with the cover on.