This is the first time I have ever seen Mars

[beamer3.6m]

I was so pleased that I had managed to find Mars that I decided to have a go at imaging it.

The result is not great as the image scale is so small, despite using a 2x barlow. I tried two barlows together but the image quality was poor and the focus was off.

.

This is a stack of 797 frames taken with the Toucam Pro II with the 200mm Explorer on the HEQ5 mount. I was very pleased with the tracking and think I could have got more frames but I got excited at 2002 frames and stopped recording.

(click to enlarge)

I think it is ok for a start but I just wish I could have got a larger image to stack.

[GazOC]

Great start! Theres plenty of detail.

[The Warthog]

Not bad at all! You really mean you've never, ever seen Mars, even naked-eye? Wow, that would be a thrill!

[mik]

Well done that is a great start some fine detail in your image.

Mick.

[beamer3.6m]

Not bad at all! You really mean you've never, ever seen Mars, even naked-eye? Wow, that would be a thrill!

nope, never ever seen it. only thought i would be able to see a red star si was captivated by the planet last night.

it was one of those nights which makes you remember why you got a scope.

[beamish]

it was one of those nights which makes you remember why you got a scope.

Good for you Beamer, XLNT.

Karlo

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

OK for a start? Its a fine image altogether actually, plenty of detail.

Kaptain Klevtsov

[beamer3.6m]

Its all a but blurry though which is annoying.

I wish I had been able to achieve focus at a higher magnification so that the detail was mroe pronounced.

I am so pleased that I saw it though and it was an amazing sight.

[legion48]

Great first Mars mate.

[geoff_k]

Excellent for a first image. Better than many of my seconds, thirds, fourths and so on.

Going to be hard to get a good image scale as it isn't that big even at closest approach this time round.

[Hugh]

Looks pretty good to me!

Hugh