A chill wind Mars, Jan 29/30

[Starman]

I didn't get back from Sky at Night filming until late last night after a fantastic visual view of Mars through Patrick's 15" reflector. I did manage to grab some shots of Mars in between setting up and the clouds rolling in at 2am although the seeing wasn't that special. Here's a quick process of the first data set. This is a straight RGB.

[arad85]

Great stuff as per usual Pete...

[Towa]

A great image Pete, inspite of the so-so seeing.

So glad you posted this, as I even managed to visually see the feature in the NPC, with my little Tak TSA scope,

so it's nice to see it confirmed in an image.

[neil phillips]

A lot less blur here, makes it easier to see the shape of the features, How does your setup cope with slight wind Pete ? looks to me like, it hardly affects it all. Just out of interest what mount do you use, The dark feature on the ice cap looks less like a cloud than on my image, ( possibly better definition and contrast ) so i take it its not a cloud or dust kicking up ?

Great precise detail as usual

[Starman]

Hi Neil, my C-14 is mounted on a Losmandy G-11. I have the set up near to a tall privet hedge to the west. If the wind's coming from its normal prevailing direction, the hedge acts as a barrier. Last night the wind was blowing in gusts and hearing the trees rustle, I knew that the scope was due a push. At times the image jumped off the frame boundary.

The wind coming from the north isn't ideal for me because that's the direction that gives me the worst seeing. I need a south-westerly for the best results. I can remember seeing Mars on the computer screen last apparition during good seeing. The view was breathtaking with the features so crisp and clear. Sadly, that's not really happened this time around yet although there have been a couple of reasonable nights.

[Beyond_Vision]

Another fantastic capture Pete. I set up my 12" lightbridge last night but duly fell asleep and woke to it being clouded over . Seeing images like this just makes me want to see it for myself

Regards

Kevin

[Darth_Muppet]

Yes - braved the -2 cold as well, lovely pic.. Well done..

[Virgoman]

Hi Pete,

Great image, plenty of detail visible. Hope to get a look myself tonight - snow permitting! I haven`t had a decent view yet. Your images are inspiring me! Look forward to the programme.

Kind Regards,

Ralph:)

[beamish]

Fabulous capture Pete!!

[resonator77]

outstanding Pete,

Have you tried to push Focal ratio to F80 maybe?

[Jupiter Martin]

Super as usual Pete so much detail in your images. How did the filming go

[Starman]

Thanks all

Here's another from later in the evening when the conditions had improved marginally along with a small decrease in altitude...

[Paul G. Abel]

That was a good Sky at Night wasn't it?! I got back to Leicester at about 2230. After a quick drink in the pub I went home to the telescope and a good drawing before the blumming cloud rolled in and it started to hail! Better luck tonight I hope.

-Paul.

[Starman]

Hi Paul,

I got home at 23:30 and the seeing reduced my urge to take sequences. However, it did improve a tad as Mars was on the decline. The clouds put paid to an extended session though - which wasn't such a bad thing

[barkis]

Another terrific set of mars Images Pete.

Always a pleasure to see your work.

Ron.

[Starman]

Thanks Ron

[Leedsgreen]

Wonderful clarity, contrast and focus. Thanks for sharing Pete (but boy, was it cold)!

Nick

[Starman]

It was a bit chilly Nick, yes

[Rob]

Great stuff Pete, love that second image.

I've braved the last two nights myself down here in Warsash, boy it was so cold (-6). These images cement my obs with my humble SW 150P!. Great images indeed.

Thanks for sharing

Rob