mars

[solarandi]

Hi all,

sorry haven't visited for a while.

I've just been looking at Mars and think I can see a slight lighter area at about the 4 o clock position (Newtonian telescope) surly the poles would be at the top and bottom areas. Must admit Mars is hard work tonight especially while at such a low altitude.

[Craig20264]

someone will correct me if i'm wrong, but views are upside down and reversed in a reflector.

[rory]

remember mars is tilted at somwhere like 25 degrees, so the poles may not appear at 12 o clock and 6 o clock.

[LukeSuppalot]

That's where the ice cap appears in my newtonian. At least I think that's what it is or it could be the retina burn I've just suffered from next doors security light.

[perrin6]

The angle you see a planet at partly depends on the angle your eye is at the eyepiece, the angle the focuser juts out from the telescope tube (if a reflector), whether the planet is in the south, rising in the East, setting in the west as well as the angle it presents itself to the eye. For Mars at present the North pole is where the north polar cap is (south polar cap not visible this year)