Backyard Mars

[scarp15]

Becoming a rather belated session, Mars was unexpectedly punching through the cloud, requiring the 8" f6 dobsonian to be set up and cooling for a 9.00pm start.

Beginning with a 10mm Delos (120x) a defining contrasting profile with plenty of surface features was revealed. Zooming in with a 7mm DeLite (171x), Syrtis Major stood out like a dark thumb. immediately due south, Hellas was quite evident as a patch of pinkish, ochre shading. The long dark shading of Syrtis Minor became clear as did the mottled area of Mare Chronium surrounding the south polar cap. The northern region was presented as a subtle ochre shade, toned down by the thin cloud. I pushed the magnification up to 240x (5mm DeLite) and could go no further, some atmospheric distortion and most likely roof thermals playing a part in the magnification limits. The online Mars Mapper; this resource has provided clarity to features revealed and for what to look out for. Just an ongoing session of backyard Mars encounters, time yet for some more.   

Here is a picture from a previous not untypical backyard; undercover set-up, waiting for the rain to pass.