I observed Mars with my 6" f/10 Dobnewt this morning (~7:00 to 7:30 UT) from my residence about 10 kilometers east of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The seeing and transparency were fairly good.
I used a combination of eyepieces (30mm Celestron Ultima, 9mm PMO ortho, 8mm Tele Vue Radian, 7mm Nager type 6, and a 3-6mm Nagler zoom) and a 2x Celestron Ultima Barlow lens. I also employed a number of various filters including a Celestron Wratten #21, Wratten #23, and Wratten #80A, a Sirius MV-1, and an Antares wideband LP filter. The #21 and the Antares LP filter gave the best results overall. The retreating SPC and melt zone were conspicuous as were what looked to be some limb clouds. According to the Mars Previewer program the CM at 7:00 UT was 16 degrees.
I used a combination of eyepieces (30mm Celestron Ultima, 9mm PMO ortho, 8mm Tele Vue Radian, 7mm Nager type 6, and a 3-6mm Nagler zoom) and a 2x Celestron Ultima Barlow lens. I also employed a number of various filters including a Celestron Wratten #21, Wratten #23, and Wratten #80A, a Sirius MV-1, and an Antares wideband LP filter. The #21 and the Antares LP filter gave the best results overall. The retreating SPC and melt zone were conspicuous as were what looked to be some limb clouds. According to the Mars Previewer program the CM at 7:00 UT was 16 degrees.
Chance favors the prepared mind.
De gustibus non est disputandum.
