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Mars Approaching Perigee 2020

Discussion in 'Astrophotography and Imaging' started by Orion25, Sep 26, 2020.

Mars Approaching Perigee 2020

Started by Orion25 on Sep 26, 2020 at 9:16 PM

16 Replies 2067 Views 3 Likes

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  1. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    The clouds finally parted and I was able to get in some good observing and imaging of Mars. The Red Planet did not disappoint, exhibiting exquisite features and a well-defined, through shrinking, south polar cap. The north polar hood is evident as are several albedo regions:

    ASTRONOMY - MARS BIG MAK BARLOW (5MP) 9-26-20.jpg

    (180mm Mak, Orion 5MP StarShoot Solar System camera with 2X barlow, processed in Registax 6)

    To Mars!
    Reggie :D
     
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  2. Ed D

    Ed D Well-Known Member

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    WOW!!! was the first thing that popped into my mind when I saw your image. Glad you had a good night and were able to observe and image Mars. Thank you for sharing.

    Ed
     
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  3. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Thanks, Ed. It's been cloudy and rainy here in the southeast with all these hurricanes and tropical depressions as you know, lol. I was fortunate to get a few windows in to the cosmos. Friday night was exceptional, and I'm loving the much higher altitude of Mars this time around. This year's apparition is arguably better than 2018 for more than one reason.

    Reggie
     
  4. Mak the Night

    Mak the Night Well-Known Member

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    Great picture Reggie!
     
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  5. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Thanks, it's getting pretty exciting as Mars gets closer :D I'm getting some of my best Mars images yet. I may have to pull out the flares and big hat!
     
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  6. Mak the Night

    Mak the Night Well-Known Member

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    It certainly is exciting. I've socially distanced myself from flared trousers ... forever. lol

     
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  7. John Done

    John Done Member

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    It is quite blurry. What device did you use to catch the Red Planet?
     
  8. Mak the Night

    Mak the Night Well-Known Member

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    Well, I had a pretty good session with the 80ED again on Mars. Syrtis Major was very well defined. The glare and brightness weren't so much of a problem this time.

    150 1fx.jpg

    Finally got the EQ5 set up!

    150 2fx.jpg

    Aimed at Mars (if it was there).

    150 7fx.jpg

    I've yet to polar align it.



    More hippies. Wrong planet, but I'm feeling joy now I've managed to set the EQ5 up. Not easy when you're disabled.



    Britain makes Iron Man a reality!
     
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2020
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  9. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Hi, John. I'm using the Orion 5MP StarShoot Solar System camera with 2x barlow through a 180mm Mak. Due to time constraints, I shoot several seconds of video as opposed to minutes or hours. I processed the video in Registax 6. I don't like to crank up the wavelets too much as it gives me a harsh image. Given my equipment, I'm pleased with the results. The south polar cap, north polar hood, dark and light albedo features are all there :)
     
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2020
  10. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Great! I'm glad you got the EQ5 up and running and a good viewing of Mars. I got some more data tonight and going to work on it, soon. Go, Iron Man, lol!
     
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  11. Mak the Night

    Mak the Night Well-Known Member

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    I've still got to polar align the bloody thing though lol. I usually set it up earlier in the year. I finally got it together after three hours. I opened the plastic bin that contains the tarpaulin and stuff I use to cover it over when not in use. It literally had litres of water inside it! I forget sometimes that it can rain a bit in England. It rains even more in Wales lol.

    SbZzE6b (1).jpg

    I'll look forward to your next pictures.



    Ozzy has a lot to answer for if you ask me.
     
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  12. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Ozzy is so...Ozzy, lol. I do have my Black Sabbath moments though. Good luck with the polar alignment and always take care. Mars is absolutely lovely these nights leading up to perigee/opposition. More pics to come!
     
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  13. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Another great night with Mars (October 1), with features abound visually and otherwise. I was able to capture some nice details, including Syrtis Major, Hesperia Planum, Hellas Chaos and Arabia Terra (and, of course, the south polar cap):

    ASTRONOMY - MARS BIG MAK BARLOW (5MP) 10-01-20.jpg

    Only a few nights to perigee!
     
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2020
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  14. Mak the Night

    Mak the Night Well-Known Member

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    I think everyone has an Ozzy moment at one stage (or on stage lol). It's rained all day here, so I'm guessing it will rain all night. So no chance of polar alignment yet.



    I was worried about the weather changing, which is why I got out as much as I could to see Mars. Eleven days to oppo'. Hopefully one of us at least will catch it. Good luck.
     
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  15. Mak the Night

    Mak the Night Well-Known Member

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    Looks great Reggie. I hope your weather holds. I've a feeling mine won't lol.

     
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  16. Harrysalvatore

    Harrysalvatore New Member

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    and I as always missed everything, for some reason I am not lucky. It is good that at least here on a forum I can observe such miracle
     
  17. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Hi, Harry, and welcome. There's still time to see Mars at its best for this apparition. It will still be big and bright for a little while yet, but don't wait too long. The rest of this month is a great time to view the Red Planet.
     

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