My First Image of Mars

[Sam]

Well finally managed to get out there and have a go at Mars. The new mount worked a treat. I can see this is going to be a money sink.

Telescope: 8" Orion XT Classic, 2 X Barlow

Mount: HEQ5

Webcam: Labtec el cheapo, CMOS sensor

Sam

(click to enlarge)

[barkis]

Got to be satisfied with your first mars LB. You have plenty of time to grab more images as the planet moves towards opposition.

That image has good detail. Maybe adding two Barlows to increase the focal length more, will produce a larger disc.

Just a suggestion.

Ron.

[legion48]

Great first Mars Sam. How many frames did you stack?

[Sam]

I ran 530 frames through Registax and binned about 1/3 of them so I guess about 320'ish. Still not really sure how to use Registax but learning.

[legion48]

Wow! Great result for so few frames.

[Sam]

Thanks, I was quite surprised that anything showed up - but as it was recording I could see the odd shadow appearing on the disk so I stopped early - couldn't wait to process it! Tomorrow (depending on the weather) I'll let it run for about 1000 frames to see what I get. Haven't got another Barlow so the disk will be the same.

[legion48]

No no no...get 2000. The more the better.