Short Mars Session (11-1-20)

[terrynak]

Got out the 4” F/9.8 tonight for a short Martian session:



Got an early start around 6:20 PM (end of Daylight Savings)– after testing the seeing on Jupiter and Saturn – turned the scope onto Mars. Used magnifications of 167x, 222x, and 250x.

North Polar Hood (NPH) – brighter earlier in the evening; I noticed yesterday it faded as the evening progressed.

A couple of “new” features visible:

• Mare Acidalium – dark area just below the NPH.

• Sinus Meridiani – a noticeable dark spot near the edge of the western limb (mirror reversed image), which eventually rotated out of view.

Margaritifer Sinus, Aurorae Sinus, and Mare Erythraeum seem to merge into one large area. Solis Lacus visible near the eastern limb.

Ended the session around 7:45 PM, so I didn’t stick around to see Mare Sirenum come into view

[Peter802]

Nice one Terry.
I need to find a decent Mars map.

[Bigzmey]

Nice catches Terry!

[prowler75]

Nice Mars session, Terry!

[Makuser]

Hi Terry. What again, and this time with a 4” F/9.8 telescope. Another nice Martian observing report from you Terry. Boy, have you been busy lately. Thanks for your new observing report Terry, and the best of wishes for many clear skies.

[John Baars]

Great Mars session!
Thanks!

[jrkirkham]

That is one good thing about the long winter nights. As long as the temperature doesn't get too cold you can get some quick viewing in on a week night and still get to bed at an early hour. Thanks for the report.

[helicon]

Sounds like it was a great Mars session Terry. I'm kind of surprised that we can still get good views of the planet. I took out the 6" frac last night and had some success seeing Mars' features at 200x.

[terrynak]

Nice one Terry.
I need to find a decent Mars map.

Thanks Peter.

Nice catches Terry!

Thanks Andrey!

Nice Mars session, Terry!

Thanks Craig!

Hi Terry. What again, and this time with a 4” F/9.8 telescope. Another nice Martian observing report from you Terry. Boy, have you been busy lately. Thanks for your new observing report Terry, and the best of wishes for many clear skies.

Thanks, you're welcome Marshall. Observing the changing surface features of Mars has been fascinating.

Great Mars session!
Thanks!

Thanks, you're welcome John!

That is one good thing about the long winter nights. As long as the temperature doesn't get too cold you can get some quick viewing in on a week night and still get to bed at an early hour. Thanks for the report.

Yup Rob, I enjoy these early evening sessions.

You're welcome.

Sounds like it was a great Mars session Terry. I'm kind of surprised that we can still get good views of the planet. I took out the 6" frac last night and had some success seeing Mars' features at 200x.

Thanks Michael, I'm pleasantly surprised as well. Still hoping to see some new features reveal themselves...

[Mark Moyer]

Nice one Terry.
I need to find a decent Mars map.

Hi Peter,

This thread discusses good Mars maps:
viewtopic.php?f=76&t=14245

[Peter802]

Thank you Mark, much appreciated.