Observation by Simon Kidd: Mars at 2.55AU

Uploaded by

Simon Kidd

Observer

Simon Kidd

Observed

2021 Jul 29 - 17:13

Uploaded

2021 Jul 30 - 09:27

Objects

Mars

Equipment

C14, ZWO ASI462MC, IR 742nm filter +Barlow.

Title

Mars at 2.55AU

About this image

Yesterday I thought I would see if Mars could still be imaged. Not a particularly good day to try, as it was windy with about 60% cloud cover.....but other days looked impossible due to total cloud. Finding Venus and checking rough focus took a while (more cloud!) but having synced up, eventually Mars was located. I used a 742 nm filter and got a couple of runs in, by waiting for the odd clear patch. I intended to get an integrated light run completed too....but this was only partially completed, as the clouds finally closed up for good. Mars shows his 'bland' face in the image, but some details are seen, despite the lower resolution given by the near IR wavelengths imaged. The dark shape of Mare Cimmerium is seen on the limb, top right. The North polar cap is still visible. Other features are also seen. A tricky observation needing sun shading measures (as for Mercury) for the scope. Better conditions would still yield a fair result though.

Files associated with this observation

2021-7-29 1713ut_SDK copy.jpg (59.8 kB)

Like this image

Jeremy Shears, Martin Lewis, Alan Thomas, Manolo_Rodriguez

Comments

Martin Lewis, 2021 Jul 31 - 07:24 UTC

Tremendous work Simon find such a difficult object and to capture meaningful detail. Very well done.
Martin

Copyright of all images and other observations submitted to the BAA remains with the owner of the work. Reproduction of work by third parties is expressly forbidden without the consent of the copyright holder. By submitting images to this online gallery, you grant the BAA permission to reproduce them in any of our publications.

Registered charity no. 210769
Registered company no. 117572

For more information including contact details, click here.

Our Terms of Use are here.

Our Privacy Policy is here.