Controlling Mars Brightness

Direct observation of Mars with a number of different eyepieces failed to resolve any detail (too bright). Color filters help a little. What is the best way to observe details on Mars?

Lawrence,

I was out last night looking at Mars and used a neutral density filter. It helped alot in cutting down the brightness and allowing me to see subtle detail.

Hope this helps,

Pernel

Make sure the atmosphere is able to support your viewing night. Slightly de-focus the planet and check for movement of the light. You may see what looks like a river of rushing air. If you do, chances are good your seeing conditions are limiting your views. Focus the planet to a nice round ball, if you cannot and it shimmers or is in turmoil, your conditions are not good. In the beginning use around a 10mm eyepiece, most scopes will support 100X to 150X in bad conditions. Next, take time at the eyepiece, it takes a few minutes for your eyes to adjust to the bright light and the planet will look washed-out. Look for contrast in and around the darker portions of the planet. Surely you can see the ice-cap. Another way to obtain a near perfect focus is to find a nearby medium bright star. Useing 250X to 500X see if you can make this image of the star, a small round dot "the airy disk". Take the scope back to the planet and it will be in focus or very nearly so. This will be the best you can do for this night, check back later in the evening if its ugly. Are you checking mars late or early in the evening, the later, normally the better. There could be other reasons, but I bet it just your conditions. keep trying, there will be nights that support a good image. Not every night is a good night, they are few and far between in most locations. If its really to bright you could increase the magnifacation, with a loss of resolution. Its a trade off especially under bad conditions .