First Mars Posted Image

I have been imaging Mars with a Toucam webcam for the last 45 days or so. Like someone else mentioned, I am truly blessed by the work that others have done to make this possible.
I have put together a series of mars images on my website demonstrating the learning curve involved. The link is below. The three images on the bottom were taken Aug 23, 24 and Sept 05 respectively.
The September 5th image is included below. This has been an exciting time and I can't wait to learn more.
Tom Kennedy
http://www.tomkennedy.org/mars.htm

P.S. The silhouetted image is a photo I took of the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club (NOVAC) members at a recent star party. Their help has also been wonderful

Attached Image:

Several things seem to make a huge difference,

1) make sure mars is in focus. I refocus before each video sequence.
2) Try to collect at least 500+ video frames. As long as you keep the video sequence below a few minutes, you won't notice any blurring from Planet rotaion.
3) It shouldn't matter(mathematically), but I consisantly notice that 640x480 settings provide better images than 320x240.
4) As long as the skies are clear, keep imaging as much as your laptop and Hard Drive will allow. Its impossible to predict which sequence will result in the best image until you actually process the stack.
5) Good seeing conditions is the biggest factor of all. Wait until Mars is at least 20 or more degrees above the horizon if possible.
6) I use the time it takes to let Mars rise as my time to let the telescope Cool. Make sure you bring the telescope to ambient temps.

7) A really good nap, so you can stay up late and collect all the images you can, before Mars shrinks into oblivion again.

Last Friday night was a very good night in the No. Virginia area. It was amazing to watch Mars go from a blobby, shimmering mess with a giant blue halo, to a relatively rock steady image over about 2 hours. The image I posted was one of the last sequences I took, and it was almost midnight at that point. Keep Trying. It will get better.
Tom