Mars Availability

[Debostar]

I was wondering when will Mars be available?? Maybe in April / May?

Is it what they call in conjunction now?

What could I see of Mars with my modest scope?

[brianb]

With a 5" scope you'll have to wait until about December for it to get close enough to stand much chance of seeing any detail. Mars only appears reasonably close for a few weeks or months every ~ 26 months & will be best placed around March 2012.

[Nexus 6]

Hi George

some info here, hope it helps

Mars 2011/2012

[Debostar]

elusive....

[Mr Spock]

It's not going to be big next year, so don't be too disappointed.

[brianb]

Mars Bars available from your local confectioner, in Glasgow you can even get them deep fried in batter

[LukeSkywatcher]

Mars has yet to impress me in my 5" scope.

[Debostar]

is it like a faint red star?

[DarkerSky]

I'm planning to start observing Mars for this coming apparition by about September or October. I think it reaches opposition in spring 2012.

[spaceboy]

For me it is an amazing feeling to be looking at the red planet. I think for people not in to astronomy this is the one planet that always comes to the tip of their tongues. Mars with little green people waiting to invade the earthlings.

It will be a while before we get a really good view of Mars. My software suggests it will be at it's largest at 14.9 in 2014. So far I have had no problems in seeing the polar ice caps and darker contrasting details of what is a rather small planet in the EP. I found most details can be picked out in a 5" scope given good seeing. It will be around August when it starts to grace our skies again and will also have the choice of viewing Jupiter.

SPACEBOY

[stardad]

Dont get caught out like I did with this web site.

All-Sky U.K. Star Chart

Went out looking for Mars last night.

[russ]

It's going to be tricky getting a good view of the red planet when the max apparent diameter is only 13.89" next March. At least it's altitude is still holding at a nice 50deg, so the sky should allow some high powers.

[brianb]

It's going to be tricky getting a good view of the red planet when the max apparent diameter is only 13.89" next March.

Nowhere near as tricky as when it's at its closest (25") and scraping along the horizon... the next apparition is the best for approx. 10 years for those of us in high northern latitudes.

[Nexus 6]

Nowhere near as tricky as when it's at its closest (25") and scraping along the horizon... the next apparition is the best for approx. 10 years for those of us in high northern latitudes.

best we make the most of it then when it next makes an appearance