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Mars Opposition (Almost)

Discussion in 'Observing Celestial Objects' started by Mak the Night, Jul 25, 2018.

Mars Opposition (Almost)

Started by Mak the Night on Jul 25, 2018 at 8:47 PM

5 Replies 1319 Views 3 Likes

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  1. Mak the Night

    Mak the Night Well-Known Member

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    Mak the Night, Jul 25, 2018
    #1
    As thundery showers and possible plagues of locusts have been predicted for Friday I decided to observe the opposition a day early. So, at about 00:05 British Summer Time on Thursday 26/07/18 my 150mm TS Optics f/6 Newtonian was all set up and cooling down. There was a bright Moon but eventually it sank low enough not to be a problem. The seeing was around A~II with below average transparency. I had to wait until 01:28 before Mars was visible from where my EQ5 was positioned. I only had until about 02:00 before Mars was too low to be seen sitting down at the telescope. The Crayford was fitted with a Baader helical focuser for fine adjustments.

    Screenshot 2018-07-26 at 04.06.42.png

    Eyepieces used were a TeleVue 2.5x Powermate and an 11mm TV Plossl and 9mm Circle T orthoscopic giving 204.5x and 250x respectively. The Circle T is just about the perfect eyepiece, its drawtube is beautifully made and the undercut isn’t a problem. The baffling is perfect, the filter threads are smooth and fit anything (honestly, I’ve never known a filter not thread, including Lumicons and TeleVue). Finally it has no eyeguard, has a volcano top and is an orthoscopic.

    IMG_20171022_133626 - Copy.jpg

    Filters used were (in this order): Baader Semi-Apo, Lumicon #11, Lumicon #8, TeleVue Bandmate Planetary BPL-0125, Celestron Mars filter and finally the Orion Mars filter. Well, what can I say? The giant peach is starting to reveal a little detail through the dust, which was a huge relief.

    inverted.jpg

    The first time I saw Mars this year was with the ST80 and there was definite detail. The storm got worse almost immediately after that, probably my fault (lol), and the featureless peach took over. It’s difficult to say which filters gave the best view this morning, although I thought the darker Mare features were very slightly better defined by the TV and the Orion filters. The white albedo polar features were quite visible again. I’m still pretty sure these aren’t polar caps.

    mars1.png

    I’m also fairly sure I could vaguely see the Mare Sirenum, Aonium Sinus and Mare Erythraeum regions. So, that’s my opposition observed. What’s a day, right?
     
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2018
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  2. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Orion25, Jul 26, 2018
    #2
    Great almost report, Mak, lol. I'm going out tonight to do some imaging right through opposition. Clear skies forecast all the way. Last night, I saw more detail on the peach orb as well, so I'm hopeful about tonight. Tomorrow night, two of my favorite observatories will be hosting opposition parties (actually post-opposition parties). Can't decide which one to go to, a tale of two observatories!
     
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  3. Mak the Night

    Mak the Night Well-Known Member

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    Mak the Night, Jul 26, 2018
    #3
    Thanks Reggie. Good luck with the imaging. I'm optimistic about the peach now as well lol.
     
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  4. Mak the Night

    Mak the Night Well-Known Member

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    Mak the Night, Jul 26, 2018
    #4
    Just had a session with the ST80. For a change I took the Orion ST80 instead of the Sky-Watcher. I could get 200x with a Vixen NPL Plossl and the 5x Barlow on Mars. Unfortunately I couldn't achieve a focus, with or without an extension tube.

    IMG_20180518_114613.jpg

    This puzzled me at first as the scopes are identical apart from their colour. It dawned on me I was using an Orion (Synta) diagonal instead of the GSO and they have different focal planes. o_O



    It's madness I tell you ...
     
  5. Dave In Vermont

    Dave In Vermont Well-Known Member

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    Dave In Vermont, Jul 26, 2018
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    I've stationed my ST80 (Orion) at the outside doorway on the 1st. floor, and other gear needed for an all-nighter, for a short walk or drag to a better viewing-perch. But the sky is still being un-cooperative. Of course! But the gear will be staying downstairs until the sky cooperates! Between the haze & clouds - that Moon is washing out the sky most expertly! <HARUMPH!> :mad:

    But I have now assembled (or dumped the contents out of...) a smallish, aluminum suit-case and managed to fit about 90% of what gear I consider vital for my Mission to Mars. That included informing my neighbors' that If they see a strange figure outside who appears to be a maniac with a tripod-mounted Death-Ray, it's only I. On my merry way to Mars. I even enclosed a copy of the posted article (below).

    Wish me luck!

    Habib


    Mars Brighter in 2018 Than Since 2003 (April, 2018).pdf
     

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  6. Mak the Night

    Mak the Night Well-Known Member

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    Mak the Night, Jul 26, 2018
    #6
    Good luck on your way to Barsoom Dave.

    709661c5-c1d4-459a-8832-4a6ce43842fd.png

    Say hello to Dejah Thoris for me if you see her.
     

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