Mars 4am BST 18 August

[baggywrinkle]

Used the 12" Meade ,  Altair 178C Hypercam, 2000 frames with the best above 64% quality stacked.

[Knighty2112]

Nice shots. Well done!  
 

I was out this morning from 1am to 2:30am. Using my Mars filter on my Omni 120 ‘frac I could see the south polar cap very easily, along with some subtle details on the surface when the seeing clicked in with.

[Scooot]

1 hour ago, Knighty2112 said:

Nice shots. Well done!  
 

I was out this morning from 1am to 2:30am. Using my Mars filter on my Omni 120 ‘frac I could see the south polar cap very easily, along with some subtle details on the surface when the seeing clicked in with.

I was looking at this morning between 2 & 3am. The view sounds similar to yours but I’ve rarely ever had a good view of Mars. Seeing was exceptionally good so I think it was probably my best view of it to date.  

[skyhog]

Nice image Frank, is that the native f10 of the meade? (I'm assuming it's an lx200?) 

Ed

[baggywrinkle]

Its the LX 850 with the 12" ACF F8 SCT. Great tube, but the mount noise when it slews scares all the wildlife nearby..maybe even wakes neighbours!

[markse68]

2 hours ago, Knighty2112 said:

Nice shots. Well done!  
 

I was out this morning from 1am to 2:30am. Using my Mars filter on my Omni 120 ‘frac I could see the south polar cap very easily, along with some subtle details on the surface when the seeing clicked in with.

Trying to decide if i like my Mars B filter or not. It does increase contrast so subtle dark features are a bit easier to make out and it does make mars look very red! but theres more colour variation without and the detail’s still there without- just needs a bit more time to visually integrate it. Mars was stunning last night at 2am from here in London either way.

[johnturley]

I'm finding that the surface markings on Mars are not standing out as clearly as usual this year, suspect some dust activity, but not a global dust storm at least not at present, however the south polar cap (now melting rapidly) has been standing out very clear. 

John 

[baggywrinkle]

I didn't use any filters, just the Altair camera at native focal length. I initially used a Bhatinov mask on Capella to focus before I swung round to Mars. The previous week I used the Moon to try and get a sharp focus then swung to Mars. The seeing then was worse. See images below.  I think the rain we had cleared the atmosphere a bit.

[skyhog]

Right, never assume as they say!! 

I did intend to pop out last night but it was cloudy up here and the forecast looked ropey to say the least... Next few days don't look any better...