A brief Mars from last night - 4th Feb

[daz]

It was really was a brief view as well!!

Bedford School Observatory, 16" LX200, 9mm and 6mm plossls used (I'll work out the powers later!), 1930 UT

At 9mm, the ice cap could clearly be seen and Syrtis Major was also very prominent. Some shimmering due to atmospherics made the edge of the planet have a soft halo, but in moments of steady seeing, it was quite amazing.

We tried the 6mm and were very pleased to see only slight degradation in the view, mainly with the shimmering halo. The features were again, very clear in moments of good seeing.

We then put an ND filter on the 6mm, and this greatly reduced the halo and really made SM stand out more! The ice cap, although dull now, was a little better defined.

There was no chance to get a camera onto the scope, as the window in the cloud was no more than 5 minutes.

Considering it still had some time to go before transit, the view was really very good! This is easily the best view of Mars I've ever had and just a shame it was such a brief one!

Fingers crossed for tonight!

[barkis]

A view you shan't ever forget though Daz. Pity the clouds ruled out a piccie though.

Ron.

[DarkerSky]

Good stuff Daz. Im hoping that one wednesday eve it will actually be clear so I can come and have a look through that scope. Weds nights seem to be jinxed with cloud at the mo !

[lunator]

Daz

Nice report.

The view of Mars has definately benefited from the higher altitude

Cheers

Ian