Mars again 6.26.03

Hi,

Once again the sky co-operated for some rewarding Mars observing.

There seemed to be less limb and NPR brightening this time around.

I also used a setting on my variable filter that presented Mars' dark features in a somewhat different way. The overall tint was a very light orange-"coral" color. This setting squashed out the limb brightening all-together, and deepened red features a bit more than my so-called RGB filter setting. While it still darkened the dark features, (green), this provided some slightly different looking tonal variations in these darker features which was not quite what I expected to see.

I guess at this point, I'm really trying to see what kind of break-up of details can be seen in the larger and darker Martian features. As time goes on, I hope to concentrate on other features like any brighter condensations appearing in the Mars' plains.

Sol Robbins

Attached Image:

Sol, here is my view this am about 0830UT. I was using my 4" f/10 refractor at 150x and 250x. The contrast was pretty faint, I have probably exagerated here somewhat. I was somewhat surprised at how well Mars withstood magnification. I did have problems with floaters, kept thinking I was seeing white or light areas where there were none.
I can't wait to get some filters I have on order as well as a new 5" refractor (Burgess 1278).
When I grow up I want to be able to draw like you!!

Walt
Central Florida

Attached Image:

Sol,

Another excellent observation of Mars showing much detail. The orange-coral setting on your Sirius Variable Filter sounds the equivalent of a Salmon filter (as sold by Vernonscope). This filter produces images similar to that described by you above. I look forward to your future observations of Mars. I too made an observation of Mars at approximately the same time which has been posted. The best of luck.

Carlos