Mars Opposition and Moon Conjunction 2022

[orion25]

Here is my best image of the Mars Opposition this cycle, taken with the ASI224mc using the Orion 180mm Mak, captured in Firecapture, processed in Registax 6, post-processed in Photoshop:

I was able to get Olympus Mons before it rotated out of view, and the polar regions and some cloud appeared to be visible:

Visually, I could only see the dark albedo regions as the planet was almost white from the full illumination of the sun. Its close brush with the moon was exciting also (the moon didn't occult Mars from my latitude, instead coming within 0.5 degrees of the Red Planet):

I dodged copious cloud all evening and was fortunate to capture some data and get some prime-focus shots during breaks. Soon, however, clouds took over and I called it a night.

But oh, what a night!

 

Cheers,

Reggie

[geoflewis]

Nicely done Reggie. I love the full Moon, with tiny Mars beside it.

[orion25]

4 hours ago, geoflewis said:

Nicely done Reggie. I love the full Moon, with tiny Mars beside it.

Thanks, Geof. It came out better than I expected. You can see the redness of Mars distinctly. What a stark contrast