Mars August 2003 Opposition
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22nd July 2003. approx 3:00UT (4:00AM BST) |
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This is my first attempt at imaging Mars in 2003. I was amazed that there was any detail to be seen. I previously attempted to image Mars in 2001 and failed to see any detail whatsoever. However then Mars was only 10 degrees above the horizon at best. Note the prominence and size of the South Polar cap. You will notice it shrink through this sequence of images. As Mars southern hemisphere warms into summer the carbon dioxide ice will sublimate and enter the atmosphere leaving behind just water ice. Diameter: 22.6 Arc Seconds |
Altitude: 19
degrees |
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15th August 2003. |
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With an altidude of only 20 degrees at best the poor seeing (3/10) takes it's toll on the picture quality. Diameter: 24.5 Arc Seconds |
Altitude: 19 degrees |
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20th August 2003 |
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Considering the altitude of the planet above the horizon this was pretty good seeing (5/10) Diameter: 24.9 Arc Seconds |
Telescope: 222mm F8 Dobsonian.
3 x Barlow. EFL 5328mm (F24). |
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29th August 2003 |
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The closest I saw Mars. But not my best image. Seeing was poor: 3/10 Diameter: 25.0 Arc Seconds |
Telescope: 222mm F8 Dobsonian.
3 x Barlow. EFL 5328mm (F24). |
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29th August 2003 |
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Phobos and Deimos, moons
of Mars. I was pretty pleased to get the moons, especially since I was using an unmodified webcam. |
Telescope: 222mm F8 Dobsonian. |
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29th August 2003 |
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This is a composite
of Mars and the above image. The imaging details are as above except
for the exposure settings for Marse were (1/250th sec and no gain). Diameter: 25.0 Arc Seconds |
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5th September 2003 |
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This was a bit of an experiment. I set the white balance to "outdoor" which turned Mars bright red on the monitor. This brought out the surface details in much the same way a red filter would. This is probably my most detailed image of the surface of Mars. Diameter: 24.7 Arc Seconds |
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5th September 2003 |
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Mars and Deimos (Mag 11.5). Prime focus FL:1776mm (F8) |
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5th September 2003 |
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Mars and Deimos composite. Prime focus FL:1776mm (F8) Diameter: 24.7 Arc Seconds |
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15th September 2003 |
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Red light Seeing 5/10 |
Telescope: 222mm F8 Dobsonian. 3 x Barlow. EFL 5328mm
(F24). |
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22nd September 2003 |
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Some more terrible seeing:
3/10. Diameter: 22.2 Arc Seconds
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Telescope: 222mm F8 Dobsonian. 3 x Barlow. EFL 5328mm
(F24). |
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7th October 2003 |
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Diameter: 19.3 Arc Seconds Abysmal seeing: 2/10. However Mars is beginning to show a bit of a phase. i.e. some of the planet is in shadow as seen from earth |
Telescope: 222mm F8 Dobsonian. 3 x Barlow. EFL 5328mm
(F24). |
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20th October 2003 |
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Diameter: 16.8 Arc Seconds Seeing 3/10 but a bit of surface detail is visible along with the polar cap. Its possible that there is a bit of haze visible around the southern limb. |
Telescope: 222mm F8 Dobsonian. 3 x Barlow. EFL 5328mm
(F24). |
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24th October 2003 |
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A nice image of Mars by my
standards, Mars is a little higher in the sky now (30+ degrees).
Notice how small the ice cap is now. Most of the carbon dioxide
ice has entered Mars' atmosphere leaving just water ice behind.
Apart from the ice cap the most prominent feature is known as the
Eye of Mars. Seeing 6/10 |
Telescope: 222mm F8 Dobsonian.
3 x Barlow. EFL 5328mm (F24). |
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5th November 2003 |
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Diameter: 14.2 Arc Seconds Terrible seeing 2/10. Almost no detail can be seen. |
Telescope: 222mm F8 Dobsonian. 3 x Barlow. EFL 5328mm
(F24). |
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12th November 2003 17:20UT |
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Diameter: 13.2 Arc Seconds Seeing is reasonably good 6/10. Compare this image with the 5th September for a closer view of the same region. Syrtis Major (the pointy bit) is just in shadow. |
Telescope: 222mm F8 Dobsonian.
3 x Barlow. EFL 5328mm (F24). |
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21st November 2003 |
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Diameter: 12.0 Arc Seconds Again reasonable seeing 5/10 |
Telescope: 222mm F8 Dobsonian. 3 x Barlow. EFL 5328mm
(F24). |
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22nd November 2003 |
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Diameter: 11.95 Arc Seconds Seeing 4/10 |
Telescope: 222mm F8 Dobsonian.
3 x Barlow. EFL 5328mm (F24). |
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29th November 2003 |
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Diameter 11.6 Arc Seconds Seeing 2/10 |
Telescope: 222mm F8 Dobsonian.
3 x Barlow. EFL 5328mm (F24). |
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7th December 2003 |
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Diameter 10.3 Arc Seconds Seeing 3/10
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Telescope: 222mm F8 Dobsonian.
3 x Barlow. EFL 5328mm (F24). |
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9th December 2003 |
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Diameter 10.2 Arc Seconds Seeing 2/10 |
Telescope: 222mm F8 Dobsonian.
3 x Barlow. EFL 5328mm (F24). |
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15th December 2003 |
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Diameter 9.6Arc Seconds Seeing 5/10 |
Telescope: 222mm F8 Dobsonian.
3 x Barlow. EFL 5328mm (F24). |
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