Mars - 13th November 2011

[dweller25]

Woke up early to another clear sky so got up and took the Dobsonian out for a quick look at Mars.

In the 20 minutes it took me to do this a layer of high thin cloud had swept in from the South !!!!

Stuck with it though and saw a clear phase, the white northern polar cap surrounded by a darker border and a large dark feature in the middle of the globe - Syrtis Major. Also the south polar region looked very bright.

Mars is still very small (tiny Orange spot in the diagram is the actual size at x200) and is not giving away much detail but it's nice to see the Red planet again.

8" F/6 Dobsonian, TV 6mm Radian at x200

13th November 2011, 05:30UT, seeing AIII

[Admiral Crispy]

Nice sketch! As someone new to observing Mars I get extra excitement seeing the drawings and pics that people are making at the moment, so please keep these coming! And for its angular size, you are getting in an impressive amount of detail! Thanks for sharing!

[dweller25]

Hello AC, I see you have a 10" Newtonian which is a VERY capable scope. So I am looking forward to your drawings .......

[Admiral Crispy]

Once I get my scanner up and running, I'll have a go at posting some of mine too! Though they are drawn in black and white, no colour I'm afraid! And ruled lines through them too as I could only get a lined pad!

[DarkerSky]

Great sketch and observation again David. Really enjoying you views of Mars

[dweller25]

Thanks Seb, they will look better next year .....

[todd8137]

i was looking around this date with my 12" and dark skies did not get to see the polar regions just a orange disk good viewing and great pic