Observation by Geof Lewis: Mars (R-RGB) - 8 Oct 2020

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Geof Lewis

Observer

Geof Lewis

Observed

2020 Oct 08 - 22:00

Uploaded

2020 Oct 10 - 14:15

Objects

Mars

Constellation

Hercules

Equipment
  • C14 XLT
  • x2 Powermate
  • ASI290MM
  • Astronomic RGB
  • AP1200
Exposure

13ms (75 fps)

Location

Norfolk

Target name

Mars

Title

Mars (R-RGB) - 8 Oct 2020

About this image

The seeing last night (8th Oct) was a distinct improvement over what I had for closest approach on 6th Oct. I had completely clear skies, no wind to speak of and it was cold (brrr), but who cares when you get your best result yet.
This image comprises the best 20% of 7xRGB runs of 3 mins per filter, per run. It is actually an R-RGB image as the seeing was sufficiently good to reuse the red stack as luminance applied as 70% opacity in WinJupos, rather than using the 7xIR data that I also captured. In total there are some 87,000 frames stacked, which is more like 100,000 if I double count the R stack being used twice.
The image is presented south up with the much reduced south polar cap just seen at the top of the image. The long dark region of Mare Cimmerium runs along the equatorial region, with the spike of Sinus Gomer that extends from it, clearly seen. Syrtis Minor is just rotating into view under blue clouds at the right limb. Blue clouds also lay over the north polar region. The bright red regions of Memonia and Elysium dominate the northern (lower) half of the image. Elysium Mons is seen as a bright spot approacing the central meridian above the north polar clouds, with the dark spot Cerberus seen above it. The largest mountain in the solar system, Olympus Mons, is the bright spot just rotating out of view at the lower left limb. The dark region below the south polar cap, Mare Chronium and the lighter mottled region of Eridania just above Mare Cimmerium, show several detail structures.

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