Mars 2014 - Then and now

[lukebl]

What a difference Mars has been this time round, compared with 2014! Back then, at least Mars reached an elevation of 35 degrees, whereas this time round I can only just capture it in a brief gap between trees and buildings at an elevation of 12 degrees, shimmering in the haze. Which is why I haven't bothered to try and capture it till now. But I thought I'd have one go before it moves on.

These are two images I captured with identical equipment - 250mm f/4.8 Newtonian, 3x barlow, IMG132e camera. About 3000 frames stacked in Registax. Mars was approximately the same size in both images, around 14.5". Back in 2014 I could make out the four big volcanoes, plus distinct cloud/fog patches and a load of surface detail. This time, well you can just about make out a polar cap and some vague shading.

Roll on 2020, if I'm spared.

[Rob]

Thats a really nice image from 2014. Boy, Mars has been so challenging this time around I agree.

[RT65CB-SWL]

What a difference one light-year can make! 

[geoflewis]

56 minutes ago, lukebl said:

Roll on 2020

Hi Luke, yep, imaging Mars this year has mostly been a miserable experience for me too....!! Great image from 2014 though, so let's hope for more like that in 2020 ?. Cheers, Geof

[jock1958]

Mars has certainly disappointed this time round, I've had fleeting glimpses of surface detail but nothing compared to your excellent 2014 image. Like you said roll on 2020!

[MarsG76]

Being so low for you up north, Mars truly was a challenge.

[Pete Presland]

It certainly has been a challenging time for Mars this year!