From: Perry Holcomb <hpholcomb@yahoo.com>

Date: December 15, 2007 11:28:31 AM MST

To: Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [Astro_IIDC] Fuzzy Mars

Duane,

That's a pretty good shoot, IMNHO (in my newbie humble

opinion).  There is detail there!!!

I dunno about Mars' atmosphere, but down here in the

southeast, I've been pretty disgusted with seeing

conditions for Mars, especially with the abnormal heat

we've been having.  Augusta, GA has broken the high

temp for the day for the past consecutive 5 days with

temps in the lo-mid 80s!

I think the resulting thermal waves produced by

cooling at night (that heat has gotta go somewhere!)

have been responsible.  I haven't been able to see

anything more than the "bouncing ball" or the "blob",

even at lowered power on my Vixen VMC200L.  So, I've

been focusing on waxing Luna, finding Neptune, and

studying asterisms and other stuff with binocs and my

80ED.

However, things are achanging with a cold front coming

thru tonite.  Next week, lows approaching 22 deg. are

expected.  Perhaps that will reduce the squigglys.

Calm, and clear, skies to all, and Happy Holidays!!

Perry

--- Duane <macastronomer@mac.com> wrote:

I was out on Thursday/Friday and imaged Mars several

times. I sure thought I would get a 

better shot as I thought the seeing was pretty good

(I could defocus a star and count 

defraction rings of stars like rings on a cut tree).

I thought for sure I'd get a better shot, but 

I'm starting to wonder if I have an issue with my

setup.

How is Mars' atmosphere these days? There seems to

be patches of Mars disc that are faded 

and more difficult to view (see image). Also, around

the limb there are brighter patches that 

don't really have a reason for being there (I think)

unless there is a lot of dust in the 

atmosphere.

Anyway, here's my shot. My best so far this

apparition, but I sure am going for better.

http://homepage.mac.com/deal/share/20071214_002722.jpg

Thanks for looking.

Duane

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