Mars - 4th April 2010

[dweller25]

Viewed during dusk as this seems to help with the 'detail'

Mars is very small now and I had to use high power to get a decent sized globe.

8" F/6 Newtonian at x300.

4th April 2010 - 19:25UT

CM = 105', Seeing = AII

[DarkerSky]

Excellent! I was out at dusk too and observed through til I lost Mars over the top of the house at about a quarter past ten. Seeing was troublesome for me, mostly because of heat rising from the roof.

My CM was a little later than yours, but how bright was that patch on the eastern limb !?? It seemed to rival the NPC as the main bright feature. Thought it was quite spectacular. Also got those darker markings curving around it to the north and south

[dweller25]

Yes the NPC has really faded and as you say the bright patch on the Eastern limb really stood out. Mars has put on a great show this time and I will try to observe it for a little longer.

Had a look at Saturn too last night around 9:30PM but it was badly affected by poor seeing.

Cannot wait for Jupiter to return.