Mars 25th Sept '07

[Starman]

Here's a windy Mars from the morning of the 25th Sept. Seeing my better than my earlier attempt a week or so back (I think - didn't actually go to bed last night so my brain is away with the fairies!).

[themos]

There's something impossible about this image, Mr Lawrence!

[russ]

That's incredible Pete. I was out this morning looking Mars and could just see the polar cap and darker markings but it was a struggle. Must be those Selsey skies of yours

Russ

[themos]

Is Selsey in space, then?

[Starman]

Are you saying it has no atmosphere?

[trevboyd]

Selsey must be in space - that is incredible. Do you know what magnification that is? I think I need a bigger 'scope...

Trev

[russ]

Are you saying it has no atmosphere? Laughing

I reckon you have a direct link to Hubble

[barkis]

Mr Lawrence, every image you post here, exceeds it's predecessor in the WOW factor by a street.

You sir, are indeed a Star Man

An increasingly amazed Ron.

[CELESCOPE]

Excellent work Pete , and a lot of patients to get an image like that

Rog

[Starman]

- thanks everyone!

The magnification for a prime-focus system (or one with an extended focal length due to Powermates/Barlows etc. is given by dividing the effective focal length (in this case 19.25m) by 25mm. The magnification for this shot works out to be x770.

[Ant]

Wow Pete, that is amazing... We need to chanhe your username to Planetman.

Fantastic image!

Ant

[Jeff RV]

Incredible detail there!!

Whats the dia of your scope, Don't Sir Patric Moore live there somewhere (tips)

Jeff

[centroid]

Clearly the dust has settled Pete, as you have some really nice surface detail showing.

Nice work!!

Dave

[russ]

(I think - didn't actually go to bed last night so my brain is away with the fairies!).

Ah sleep is for fairies 8) btw it's going to be clear tomorrow morning as well.....do you think you can manage two nights on the trot without sleep?

[Starman]

I did try Rus but it was cloudy at 05:00 and 05:30 BST. Shame

Here's a final update on the image. This was done last night after a bit of a rest. The image is a bit sharper and that annoying limb artifact has been reduced in power somewhat. It's not totally gone but the result is better I think.

[beamish]

WHOA !!! Imaging god or what ?? Fantastic !! Abit of sleep certainly did the the trick for you Pete, just incredible.

Karlo

[Starman]

Thanks Karlo.

Themos: re-reading your comments (sorry I was a bit slow yesterday without sleep) were you referring to the fact that the planet shows a marked gibbous phase?

[themos]

No, Pete. I was simply astounded at the amount of detail that you got in only 9.3 arc-seconds. You must be hitting the limit of what is possible with terrestrial equipment.

[Starman]

Ah sorry! Now I've had sleep I've misinterpreted again! I'm best without sleep I think

[lunator]

Pete

Excellent image

the RGB pics realy show how the red light image has the better resolution

The Daws limit on your scope is 1/3" and you have certainly got to that limit

Cheers

Ian

[Starman]

Never pay attention to limits Ian

[themos]

the red light image has the better resolution

Go for IR, then!

[Starman]

I have that session imaged in IR as well but I've not had time to process the IR avi files yet.

[russ]

I have that session imaged in IR as well but I've not had time to process the IR avi files yet.

Be interesting to see those too.

And yes i got up again this morning myself to find a cloudy sky. Went back to bed cursing Metcheck, especially as it was clear around midnight and i decided it was better to grab some sleep

Russ

[Starman]

It was clear for me early evening, cloudy when I looked out at 05:00-05:30 and clear when I eventually woke with the family. Tomorrow looks clear though in the early morning.