TheSkySearchers

I have/use a 150mm f/8 achromatic refractor for the planets. Using the 100mm aperture mask that came with the scope, there is still a little flare coming from Mars. I just made a 90mm aperture mask, but have not tried it out yet. What filter will solve this problem, but maintain close to the true color of the planet? There is another issue. The last few times I observed Mars the planet had a pale orange color with no surface detail. Perhaps a storm? I did get one good observation of Mars thus far this year.

Thanks to you all.

B+W 48E FL-D filter, best one I have ever used. Started using these in 2003 Mars observing.

Refractordude wrote: ↑Wed Oct 07, 2020 3:00 am ... The last few times I observed Mars the planet had a pale orange color with no surface detail. Perhaps a storm? I did get one good observation of Mars thus far this year.

Thanks to you all.

Are you checking the atmospheric data for your location?
https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/ou ... ts/seeing/

The high Jet Steam velocities over my area currently make fine details unobservable. The good views I had of Jupiter and Saturn last month were on nights when the main Jet Stream was well away from my area.

What website to purchase the B&W 48E FL-D filter. Located one on eBay, but it is used. Not certain it is the same one recommended by Lady Fraktor.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/B-W-48E-Schnei ... .l4275.c10

Your best place to find them today is on ebay, these were originally made for film photography

Just make sure it is a 46mm or 48mm thread. A step-up ring can be used with a 2" diagonal/ eyepiece and the 48mm will screw right on if the diagonal nosepiece is threaded.

Cost is usually minimal, the last one I bought I was in Canada and filter + shipping from Germany was 12 €

PS: The filter you have linked to is a linear polarizer. Handy if you use a prism diagonal.

I haven't used any filters so far

Ylem wrote: ↑Wed Oct 07, 2020 8:58 pm I haven't used any filters so far

For Mars, neither have I.

I bought a few last time, and didn't find that they helped much with my scopes.

Gonna pull 'em out though

I know some filters help in enhancing some details, other details were toned or disappeared. Somehow I never bothered to use them any more after the first session.

Magenta colors 10, 20, 30. Brandon optics has #30
Orange Long pass from Baader is mentioned slot, have not used mine yet.
TV Mars A is great but not sold new anymore
FLD is also a great filter, got mine from ebay.
The little red case has my absolute favorite, 85C. Brandon has an 85 but the C is 3 shades lighter and works well for smaller scopes as does the FLD. Brandon filters have a different thread and need an adapter ring to screw onto regular eyepieces.

Way back had a 6" f8 achromat, when using filters you can leave scope at full aperture cause the filter removes some of the scattered colors that degrade image. Probably still cannot exceed 300x, but can get close.

Found another box of filters. If you do not want to spend a lot these 2 from Ebay work really well. The SV Bony is a copy of the Baader Contrast filter. The Vite is the same as the Baader MSG.
Baader does most of their manufacturing in China, so you expect knock offs to be available. One was $20 the other $10. Had these about a year and both are a lite purple tint and work very nice.

The filters on my 10" enhanced the view but did not see anything that could be seen without. The big volcano Olympus Mons should be visible soon.

I have 1 filter. It’s a “moon filter” believe it’s 18%. Just mild sungalasses . It definitely softens the moon, it makes Jupiter more defined. With Mars, lately, it has dimmed it just so I can make out the dark plains at maximum magnification. Cost $20 USD and is an off brand no namer.