When to see Mars?

[BWBlackett]

I understand that Mars will be viewable from the UK towards the end of the year, I've tried skipping through the dates on Stellarium but can't work out when the first opportunity and best times will be to see it.

Any help?

Brian.

[SteelRat]

Oposition is during Christmas week. Won't be as close as it was 2005, but will be closer than the next one - make the most of it

[GazOC]

IMHO during opposition the distance isn't as important as the altitude. As long as its at a decent height you can always throw more magnification at it to make up for the extra distance.

[mpeniak]

IMHO during opposition the distance isn't as important as the altitude. As long as its at a decent height you can always throw more magnification at it to make up for the extra distance.

Yep, I agree. Can't wait to see Mars for the first time. Mars apparent size should double by December but what if I tried imaging it now? I suppose the image would not be good as it is low in the sky at about 4am and later sun is too high.

Martin

[SteelRat]

you can always throw more magnification at it to make up for the extra distance.

Yep, I agree

Heheheh I'll remember that when I'm pushin max on that tiny dot with m li'l 4 inch

Time for a C8 or a 14" dob then?

[tom.yates]

Cant wait for Mars just traded my tak 128 for a c14 roll on

[BWBlackett]

What date/time is it going to be high enough to see in Northern England ?

[GazOC]

Cant wait for Mars just traded my tak 128 for a c14 roll on

I noticed you'd been 'busy' on AstroBuySell, what are you going to mount it on mate?

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

What date/time is it going to be high enough to see in Northern England ?

Its starting to rise in the early hours before dawn, and will get earlier until its visible in the evenings at the end of the year.

Kaptain Klevtsov

[Rob]

Mars will be a nice height this year, should be great.

[The Warthog]

Mars has always been disappointing to me. The fact that opposition is at Christmas puts it nice and high in the freezing Canadian sky, though. In general, the best time to see a planet is when it is due south at midnight. That is its closest approach for a particular year.