Dumb question about mars moons

[tim r]

This may sound stupid but can you resolve the moons of mars because last night before it completely clouded over mars has risen high enought to view, not at it's best because it was only 8.30ish I saw two objects I'd say around 5 times the diameter of mars away. I was using a tak 102 and 5 mm ep, it's just I,ve never seen them before if they were indeed moons thanks. Again maybe a stupid question.

[mike.brightmore]

My understanding has always been that the two moons of Mars are far too small to be seen through amateur telescopes, even large amateur telescopes. Mars is at opposition at the moment so if they were ever going to be visible then now is the time - but I really doubt it. Due to its orbit Mars does change its position relative to the background stars so we do see different stars behind it at different times.

[Freddie]

Probably stars, there were a couple (mag 7&9) nearby last night. Phobos was ~1 Mars diam away, Deimos ~2 on the other side.

[tim r]

Thanks for replying I was wondering if it was 2 star which were Just in the right place to give the effect of moons

[Moonshane]

I read once it is possible with good apertures but with an occulting bar on the eyepiece to reduce/block the glare of the planet. they are very small though.

[acey]

The sighting was undoubtedly of field stars.

Phobos and Deimos were visually discovered in 1877 with a 26" refractor: the late date and large aperture give an indication of difficulty.

Using an occulting bar to block out the planet, and carefully choosing the best times (near opposition and with the moons at greatest elongation), there are reports of sightings with 8" or maybe even less. But that takes a lot of effort. They would certainly never be seen in the course of casual observing.

[michaelmorris]

It is possible to image them with a CCD camera, but you should try and choose a time when they are close to longest elongation. All you will get is a slightly denser area of smudge or very faint blobs rather than a nice clear point.

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