Observation Data
Location: Decatur, GA (33.7748° N, 84.2963° W)
Date and Time: 2024-12-07, 23:20 – 23:35 EDT
Sky conditions: Seeing – average, Transparency – average
Instrument: Celestron C8 SCT @f/10 (native), Aperture 203.3mm, Focal length: 2023
Mount: Advanced VX
Eyepiece: N/A (Imaging)
Reticle Device: N/A
Imaging Equipment: 2x Barlow, ADC, UV/IR Cut filter, ASI224MC
Image type and sensor: ZWO ASI 224MC – CMOS, IMX224 1/3″ sensor
Image capture details: 120s AVI capture, Start capture: 23:29:33 EDT, End capture: 23:31:39 EDT, Exposure: 10ms, Gain: 319, best 20% stacked of 12,149 frames
Software: ASICap, ASIVideoStack, PixInsight
Project Objectives
Observing the planet Mars can be either exciting and rewarding or boring and disappointing. It all depends on where the red planet is in its orbit compared with the Earth. Every 26 months Earth catches up to and passes Mars in Earth’s smaller, faster orbit, and it is during these times that Mars can best be seen. This point of “catch up” is called an opposition. This is the time when Earth and Mars is on the same side of the Sun, resulting in the Sun being on the “opposite” side of the sky from us as is Mars. During this time Mars rises as the Sun sets and sets as the Sun rises, and is at its highest point in our sky at midnight. All oppositions are not created equal, however. Mar’s orbit is more elliptical than our own, and these variations in distance makes Mars appear as small as 13.5 arc-seconds in diameter, or as large as 25 arc-seconds.
A few months before or after these oppositions Mars can still be observed, depending on the objective size of your telescope. Consult your favorite observing periodical for favorable Mars observing times. Many helpful hints will be given and times suggested for successful observing.
Drawing the “god of war” can be literally an illuminating experience. Sketching can help train your eye to see more detail than you would have otherwise noticed. Examine the planet for several minutes. Try an orange filter to see if that helps image contrast. Use the first accompanying circle to sketch in the major features after first locating the polar cap or possible slight phase defect. Just outlining the major features will do. Try to place them as accurately as possible. Note to the nearest minute when you have completed these steps. The first sketch should give accurate positions.
A soft pencil can be used to make a more finished looking version on the second circle. The second can be completed away from the telescope if desired, although as soon as possible while the memory is still good. It can be more “artistic”, shaded to give a B&W photo appearance. If done carefully a very satisfying rendition can be had, and you will not have to be an artist to have accomplished it.
To show the East-West direction of your sketches show with an arrow the direction of drift in your field-of-view without a drive running.