orion25

I had an almost exceptionally clear night for the opposition (save for some brief passing cirrus clouds). Mars was brilliant and offered great detail. Mare Sirenum and Mare Cimmerium were easily visible. I could barely make out the south polar cap (it was easier using my #82 lt. blue filter). Here is an image from last night's data: Orion 180mm Mak-Cass, Orion 5MP StarShoot Solar System Camera, Celestron 2x barlow, processed in Registax, Photoshop Regards, Reggie

Excellent, Michael! Can't wait for the animation Regards, Reggie

Olympus Mons, oh my! Great image! Regards, Reggie

Brilliant!

Here is a composite image of Mars at perigee in 2020 and in 2018. What a difference two years make! Cheers! Reggie

The ZWO ASI 224MC is a great little planetary cam. I just attached an IR/UV filter (that you can order along with the camera) and a Celestron 2x barlow and I was off to the races. I waited until Mars was at a high elevation for best seeing. It was a great night.

Thanks, Spacecake2. I used a more sensitive camera this time and captured more frames. I'm getting the hang of my little ZWO, lol!

Mars from October 7, 2020, the evening after its closest approach, using the ZWO ASI 221MC planetary camera, the Celestron 2x Barlow lens and the Orion StarMax 127mm Mak-Cass telescope: Cheers! Reggie

Thanks, Pete. Yes, I was going for a series that would show the change in size and phase.

Thanks! I'm using the Orion SkyView Pro 180mm Mak-Cass. It's a real planet-killer Reggie

Here is a collage of images I've taken of Mars from August through perigee. In terms of detail, this has been a much better apparition than 2018! Orion SkyView Pro 180 Mak, Orion 5MP StarShoot Solar System camera/Celestron 2x barlow; processed in Registax 6, Photoshop Cheers, Reggie

Wow! what clarity and detail! Great image!

Thanks, Pete. I hope to see more of your images this apparition

Thanks, friends. This apparition has been wonderful so far, better than 2018 despite being slightly farther away this time.

Hi, buddy! Cool YouTube page. Not a bad image using your smartphone. You'll get a lot more detail and clarity if you get a space cam for your reflector. There are some inexpensive ones you can get to start off with like this one: https://www.telescope.com/Orion/Orion-StarShoot-5-MP-Solar-System-Color-Camera/rc/2160/p/103029.uts Of course, the more expensive the camera, the better the results, but I get some good results with the Orion 5MP and my Mak. Since you're using a reflector, a barlow would help with the space cam to yield a larger image. I use one even with my Mak. A telescope drive will allow you to capture more frames to process. It's exciting imaging planets and Mars is really putting on a good show this time, being almost as close it was in 2018 and with no global dust storm this time. Good luck with the imaging! Reggie

Another great night with Mars, features abound visually and otherwise. I was able to capture some nice details, including Syrtis Major, Hesperia Planum, Hellas Chaos and Arabia Terra (and, of course, the south polar cap): Only a few more nights until perigee!

Doing well. Thanks for thinking of me. I've been dodging cloud trying to observe and image Mars. I got a pretty good shot a few nights ago that I posted in the imaging section (see my avatar). I'm looking forward to perigee/opposition this year! How are you, my friend?

Great images, George!

The clouds finally parted and I was able to get in some good observing and imaging of Mars. The Red Planet did not disappoint, exhibiting exquisite features and a well-defined, through shrinking, south polar cap. The north polar hood is evident as are several albedo regions: (180mm Mak, Orion 5MP StarShoot Solar System camera with 2X barlow, processed in Registax 6) To Mars! Reggie

Excellent work, Pete!

Very nice!

Nice detail there, especially that polar cap! I can feel your excitement as perigee/opposition approaches! Regards, Reggie

The Moon and Mars conjunction taken from live videoastronomy feed at r.j.s. observatory on September 5, 2020! Cheers! Reggie

Here is video taken from a live feed of Mars on 9-02-2020 as imaged with the Orion StarShoot 5MP Solar System camera through a 180mm Mak-Cass at the r.j.s. observatory! Mars is a'comin'! Perigee: October 6, 2020 Opposition: October 13, 2020